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End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 This bill specifies requirements for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with respect to certain federal land that is covered by a reasonably foreseeable development scenario (i.e., a long-term projection of oil and gas development) shall not offer the land for lease until such scenario includes an assessment of the land's oil and gas potential that specifically identifies the potential for all acres subject to decisions on availability for leasing. If certain federal land that is otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources is not covered by a reasonably foreseeable development scenario, the BLM shall complete such a scenario in accordance with the requirements and factors described in this bill. In general, the BLM shall not offer for lease certain federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources if such land is designated in the applicable reasonably foreseeable development scenario as having low or no potential for the development of oil or gas resources. However, the bill provides for a variance process. With respect to each of these requirements, exceptions apply for federal land that is leased for the purpose of preventing oil or gas drainage or that meets specified requirements related to size and proximity to an oil- or gas-producing well.	117 S607 IS: End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 607 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2021 Ms. Cortez Masto Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To discourage speculative oil and gas leasing and to promote enhanced multiple use management of public land and National Forest System land, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) Federal land should be managed for multiple uses, resources, and values, including recreation use, grazing use, timber resources, mineral resources, watershed management, wildlife and fish habitat, and natural, scenic, scientific, and historic values; (2) section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(a) known or believed to contain oil or gas deposits (3) (A) in determining whether a parcel of Federal land should be made available for oil and gas leasing and development, and in offering such a parcel for sale, the Secretary does not meaningfully take into consideration the oil and gas development potential of that parcel; and (B) as a result, the Secretary regularly offers and leases for oil and gas development Federal land that has no or low potential for the development of oil and gas resources (referred to in this section as no- or low-potential Federal land (4) (A) no- or low-potential Federal land is frequently leased for or near the minimum lease bid, or noncompetitively, and rarely produce oil or gas resources; and (B) as a result, taxpayers in the United States receive minimal revenue from the leasing of no- or low-potential Federal land; (5) making no- or low-potential Federal land available for oil and gas leasing can result in leases being obtained for speculative purposes; (6) the Secretary wastes taxpayer resources in issuing and managing leases on no- or low-potential Federal land; (7) no- or low-potential Federal land frequently supports other economically important uses, resources, and values including the uses, resources, and values described in paragraph (1); (8) the existence of leases on no- and low-potential Federal land can and does limit the ability of the Secretary to support and enhance the uses, resources, and values described in paragraph (1); and (9) meaningful public participation in leasing decisions is essential and can help to ensure that the decisions of the Secretary are well-informed and based on current and reliable information and data. 3. Policy In accordance with Federal multiple use land management goals, it is the policy of the United States that— (1) the Secretary— (A) shall not, absent exceptional circumstances, offer for lease any Federal land that has low or no potential for the development of oil and gas resources; (B) shall discourage speculation in the Federal onshore oil and gas leasing program; and (C) by not offering for lease Federal land described in subparagraph (A), shall conserve limited Federal resources that can be better applied elsewhere; and (2) the policies described in paragraph (1) are in keeping with, and are not detrimental to, the energy security of the United States. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Drainage The term drainage (2) Federal land The term Federal land (A) public land; and (B) National Forest System land. (3) Land use plan The term land use plan (A) a land use plan required under sections 201 and 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1711 (B) a land and resource management plan developed by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1604 (4) Public land The term public land public lands 43 U.S.C. 1702 (5) Reasonably foreseeable development scenario The term reasonably foreseeable development scenario H—1624–1—Planning for Fluid Mineral Resources Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 43 U.S.C. 1701 (6) Secretary The term Secretary 5. Federal land covered by reasonably foreseeable development scenario issued before date of enactment (a) In general With respect to Federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (b) Exception for drainage (1) In general The Secretary may offer for lease any Federal land described in subsection (a) without meeting the requirements of that subsection if— (A) (i) the Federal land is adjacent to land currently producing oil or gas; and (ii) the lease is issued for the purpose of preventing drainage from the adjacent land; or (B) the Federal land— (i) does not exceed 640 acres; and (ii) is located within 1 mile of a well producing oil or gas in paying quantities on the date on which the Federal land is offered for leasing. (2) Requirement A lease issued under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the applicable land use plan and all other applicable law. 6. Federal land not covered by current reasonably foreseeable development scenario (a) In general (1) In general Except as provided in subsection (c), if the Secretary determines that Federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (2) Requirements Any reasonably foreseeable development scenario issued on or after the date of enactment of this Act shall, at a minimum— (A) assess and designate all Federal land covered by the reasonably foreseeable development scenario as having high, moderate, low, or no potential for development of oil and gas resources; and (B) publish a map depicting the covered Federal land and the development potential for that Federal land designated under subparagraph (A). (3) Factors (A) In general In completing a reasonably foreseeable development scenario for Federal land, the Secretary shall take into consideration— (i) past and present exploration and development activity in the vicinity, including historic trends; (ii) for each lease in the vicinity, the number, location, and types of wells drilled, the representative depth of wells drilled, the number and location of dry holes, the success ratio for wells drilled, and the location, production history, and life expectancy of producing fields; (iii) geological, geophysical, and geochemical information for the Federal land, including data and information from the United States Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, State agencies, industry, professional societies, academic sources, and the public; (iv) structural and stratigraphic data and information relating to basins, fields, and plays on the Federal land; and (v) data and information on the likelihood that economically recoverable oil and gas resources are present in a given area, including information submitted by experts and the public. (B) Explanation of factors The Secretary shall document how each factor described in subparagraph (A) and any other factors considered by the Secretary support the designation of the potential for development of oil and gas resources on the Federal land. (4) Opportunity for public participation In carrying out a reasonably foreseeable development scenario under this subsection, the Secretary shall— (A) notify the public that the reasonably foreseeable development scenario is being initiated; (B) publish a request for information for the reasonably foreseeable development scenario; (C) release a draft version of the reasonably foreseeable development scenario for a public review and comment for a period of not less than 60 days; and (D) consider and respond to public comments in the final version of the reasonably foreseeable development scenario. (b) Regular update (1) In general Not later than 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than every 15 years thereafter, the Secretary, consistent with subsection (a) and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest System land, shall review and update all reasonably foreseeable development scenarios covering Federal land. (2) Prohibition Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall not offer for lease any Federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (c) Exception for drainage (1) In general The Secretary may offer for lease any Federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (A) (i) the Federal land is adjacent to land currently producing oil or gas; and (ii) the lease is issued for the purpose of preventing drainage from the adjacent land; or (B) the Federal land— (i) does not exceed 640 acres; and (ii) is located within 1 mile of a well producing oil or gas in paying quantities on the date on which the Federal land is offered for leasing. (2) Requirement A lease issued under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the applicable land use plan and all other applicable law. 7. Land having no or low development potential under a reasonably foreseeable development scenario (a) In general Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall not offer for lease any Federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (b) Exception for drainage (1) In general The Secretary may offer for lease any Federal land described in subsection (a) if— (A) (i) the Federal land is adjacent to land currently producing oil or gas; and (ii) the lease is issued for the purpose of preventing drainage from the adjacent land; or (B) the Federal land— (i) does not exceed 640 acres; and (ii) is located within 1 mile of a well producing oil or gas in paying quantities on the date on which the Federal land is offered for leasing. (2) Requirement A lease issued under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the applicable land use plan and all other applicable law. (c) Variance process (1) In general An entity seeking to lease Federal land described in subsection (a) for purposes other than the purpose described in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) may submit to the Secretary an application for a variance under which the applicant shall bear the full burden of establishing and documenting that providing a variance for the Federal land would— (A) be consistent with decisions contained in the land use plan in effect for the Federal land; (B) affect only areas— (i) with low wildlife, recreation, livestock, and other multiple-use resource values; and (ii) where impacts to those values arising from the variance can be resolved; (C) optimize the use of existing infrastructure and avoid duplication of infrastructure and disruption of public land; (D) minimize adverse impacts on fish and wildlife habitats and migration and movement corridors in nearby areas; (E) cause no significant effects on species listed as endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 16 U.S.C. 1531 (F) cause no cumulative impacts on air or water resources of concern that cannot be avoided or minimized; (G) cause no adverse impacts on— (i) units of the National Park System; (ii) units of the National Wildlife Refuge System; (iii) areas of critical environmental concern; (iv) components of the National Wilderness Preservation System; or (v) other special status areas, including State and local parks and wildlife and recreation areas; and (H) allow the Federal land to be developed in the public interest. (2) Opportunity for public participation (A) In general On receipt of an application for a variance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (i) promptly notify the public that the application has been received; and (ii) provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the application, including any supporting documents, for a period of not less than 60 days. (B) Response The Secretary shall consider and respond in writing to any public comments received under subparagraph (A)(ii) before making a determination under paragraph (3)(A). (3) Granting of variance The Secretary may grant a variance for Federal land described in subsection (a) pursuant to an application submitted under paragraph (1), and offer that Federal land for lease, if— (A) the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a determination that— (i) the applicant met the burden of establishing and documenting that the variance would meet the requirements described in paragraph (1); (ii) offering the Federal land for lease— (I) would not preclude the use of the Federal land for other uses, including grazing, fish and wildlife, and recreation uses; and (II) would be managed in accordance with the principles of multiple use (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1702 (iii) the variance is in the public interest; and (B) the Federal land— (i) is adjacent to land currently producing oil or gas in commercial quantities on the date on which the variance is granted; and (ii) does not exceed 640 acres. (4) Requirement A lease issued under paragraph (3) shall be consistent with the applicable land use plan and all other applicable law. (5) Limitation The Secretary shall not grant more than 1 variance under this subsection per 5-year period to an applicant or to an entity under common ownership or control with the applicant. 8. Effect (a) Multiple use considerations Nothing in this Act, including a determination under a reasonably foreseeable development scenario issued pursuant to this Act that Federal land has high or moderate potential for development of oil and gas resources, alters— (1) the requirements under section 202(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 43 U.S.C. 1712(c) 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (2) the requirements of subsections (b) and (e) of section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 16 U.S.C. 1604 30 U.S.C. 181 30 U.S.C. 351 (3) any other applicable requirements of law. (b) NEPA Nothing in this Act modifies, alters, or impacts the applicability of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 42 U.S.C. 4321	End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021
Keeping Critical Connections Act of 2021 This bill provides funds with which the Federal Communications Commission shall reimburse small business broadband providers for costs incurred during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period to voluntarily (1) provide free or discounted service to students in need of distance learning capacity, or (2) refrain from disconnecting low-income households that cannot afford to make a full payment.	117 S608 IS: Keeping Critical Connections Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 608 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2021 Ms. Klobuchar Mr. Cramer Ms. Smith Mr. Marshall Mr. Merkley Mr. Barrasso Mr. Durbin Ms. Ernst Mrs. Gillibrand Ms. Lummis Mr. Kelly Mr. Cotton Mrs. Shaheen Mr. Moran Mr. Warner Mr. Hoeven Ms. Duckworth Ms. Murkowski Ms. Baldwin Mr. Boozman Mr. Peters Mr. Crapo Mr. Warnock Mr. Tillis Mr. Bennet Mr. Sullivan Mr. Kaine Mr. Hawley Ms. Rosen Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To help small business broadband providers keep customers connected. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Keeping Critical Connections Act of 2021 2. Keeping Critical Connections Emergency Fund (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term Commission (2) the term covered program (A) provides a customer with free or discounted broadband service, or free upgrades of existing service to meet certain capacity and speed needs, due specifically to the presence of a student in the household of the customer who needs distance learning capability; or (B) refrains from disconnecting broadband service provided to an existing customer due to nonpayment or underpayment if the customer— (i) has a household income, at the time of the nonpayment or underpayment, that does not exceed 135 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services); (ii) is unable to make a full payment due specifically to the economic impact of the national emergency described in paragraph (3); and (iii) provides sufficient documentation to the provider to show that the customer meets the criteria under clauses (i) and (ii); (3) the term COVID–19 emergency period 50 U.S.C. 1601 (4) the term small business broadband provider (b) Funding (1) Appropriation Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Commission $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended, to reimburse small business broadband providers for the costs of carrying out a covered program. (2) Rules The Commission shall promulgate rules on an expedited basis, and without regard to section 553 of title 5, United States Code, regarding the provision of reimbursements to small business broadband providers under paragraph (1).	Keeping Critical Connections Act of 2021
Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act This bill makes several budgetary, technical, and procedural changes, particularly in relation to Medicare and increasing the debt limit. Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.) The bill also establishes expedited Senate procedures for considering legislation to increase the debt limit. The procedures limit debate, waive points of order, and prohibit amendments. The procedures may only be used once and expire after January 16, 2022. Additionally, the bill (1) temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule; and (2) requires any debits recorded for FY2022 on the statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) scorecards to be deducted from the scorecards for 2022 and added to the scorecards for 2023.	117 S610 EAH: Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act U.S. Senate 2021-12-07 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 117th CONGRESS 1st Session In the House of Representatives, U. S., December 7, 2021 AMENDMENT: That the bill from the Senate (S. 610) entitled An Act to address behavioral health and well-being among health care professionals. Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act 2. Adjustments to Medicare sequestration reductions (a) Extension of temporary suspension through March 2022 (1) In general Section 3709(a) of division A of the CARES Act ( 2 U.S.C. 901a (A) in the subsection header by inserting and adjustment suspension (B) by striking December 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 (2) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136 (b) Adjustments to Medicare program sequestration reduction with respect to fiscal years 2022 and 2030 Section 251A(6) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 901a(6) (1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraphs: (C) Notwithstanding the 2 percent limit specified in subparagraph (A) for payments for the Medicare programs specified in section 256(d), the sequestration order of the President under such subparagraph for fiscal year 2022 shall be applied to such payments so that with respect to the period beginning on April 1, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2022, the payment reduction shall be 1.0 percent. (D) Notwithstanding the 2 percent limit specified in subparagraph (A) for payments for the Medicare programs specified in section 256(d), the sequestration order of the President under such subparagraph for fiscal year 2030 shall be applied to such payments so that— (i) with respect to the first 6 months in which such order is effective for such fiscal year, the payment reduction shall be 2.25 percent; and (ii) with respect to the second 6 months in which such order is so effective for such fiscal year, the payment reduction shall be 3 percent. . 3. Extension of support for physicians and other professionals in adjusting to Medicare payment changes (a) In general Section 1848 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4 (1) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(iv)(V), by striking 2021 2021 or 2022 (2) in subsection (t)— (A) in the subsection header, by striking 2021 2021 and 2022 (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking during 2021 during 2021 and 2022 (ii) by striking for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75 percent. for— (A) such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75 percent; and (B) such services furnished on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, by 3.0 percent. ; and (C) in paragraph (2)(C)— (i) in the subparagraph header, by striking 2021 2021 and 2022 (ii) by inserting for services furnished in 2021 or 2022 under this subsection (iii) by inserting or 2022, respectively (b) Report Section 101(c) of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 (1) in the first sentence— (A) by striking April 1, 2022 each of April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023 (B) by striking , as added by subsection (a) furnished during 2021 or 2022, respectively (2) in the second sentence— (A) by striking Such report Each such report (B) by inserting with respect to 2021 or 2022, as applicable under such section 4. Preserving patient access to critical clinical lab services (a) Revised phase-in of reductions from private payor rate implementation Section 1834A(b)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m–1(b)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking through 2024 through 2025 (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking for 2021 for each of 2021 and 2022 (B) in clause (iii), by striking 2022 through 2024 2023 through 2025 (b) Revised Reporting Period for Reporting of Private Sector Payment Rates for Establishment of Medicare Payment Rates Section 1834A(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m–1(a)(1)(B) (1) in clause (i), by striking December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 (2) in clause (ii)— (A) by striking January 1, 2022 January 1, 2023 (B) by striking March 31, 2022 March 31, 2023 5. Delay to the implementation of the radiation oncology model under the Medicare program Section 133 of Division CC of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 January 1, 2022 January 1, 2023 6. Medicare Improvement Fund Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1) fiscal year 2021 fiscal year 2021, $101,000,000. 7. PAYGO annual report For the purposes of the annual report issued pursuant to section 5 of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 ( 2 U.S.C. 934 8. Expedited procedures for considering an increase in the debt limit (a) Definition In this section, the term joint resolution (1) that is introduced by the Majority Leader of the Senate, or a designee, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2021; (2) which does not have a preamble; (3) the title of which is as follows: Joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit. (4) the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: That the limitation under section 3101(b) of title 31, United States Code, as most recently increased by Public Law 117–50 31 U.S.C. 3101 (b) Expedited consideration in Senate (1) Placement on calendar Upon introduction in the Senate, the joint resolution shall be placed immediately on the calendar. (2) Proceeding to consideration (A) In general Notwithstanding rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order, not later than January 15, 2022 (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution. (B) Procedure For a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution— (i) all points of order against the motion are waived; (ii) the motion is not debatable; (iii) the motion is not subject to a motion to postpone; (iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order; and (v) if the motion is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business until disposed of. (3) Floor consideration (A) In general If the Senate proceeds to consideration of the joint resolution— (i) all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived; (ii) debate on the joint resolution, and all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance; (iii) an amendment to the joint resolution is not in order; (iv) a motion to postpone or a motion to commit the joint resolution is not in order; and (v) a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business is not in order. (B) Vote on passage The vote on passage shall occur immediately following the conclusion of the debate on the joint resolution and a single quorum call if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate. (C) Rulings of the chair on procedure Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of this paragraph or the rules of the Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure relating to the joint resolution shall be decided without debate. (D) Single measure authorized It shall not be in order to consider more than 1 joint resolution under the procedures under this paragraph. (E) Sunset It shall not be in order to consider a joint resolution under the procedures under this paragraph after January 16, 2022. (4) Rules of the Senate This subsection is enacted by Congress— (A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of the Senate, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the Senate in the case of a joint resolution, and supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such rules; and (B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of the Senate to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of the Senate) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the Senate. Lorraine Miller Clerk.	Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act
VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 This bill adds a new source of revenue for the Crime Victims Fund and makes changes to formula grants supported by the fund. Specifically, the bill directs revenues collected from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. Currently, such revenues are deposited into the general fund of the Treasury. Additionally, the bill increases the percentage—from 60% to 75%—of state compensation payments to crime victims in the prior fiscal year used to calculate formula grants for state victim compensation programs. Finally, the bill directs states to waive the matching requirement for recipients of state victim assistance formula grants during and for one year after a pandemic-related national emergency. It also allows states to waive the matching requirement pursuant to a policy established by the state.	117 S611 IS: VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 611 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2021 Mr. Durbin Mr. Graham Ms. Baldwin Mr. Grassley Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Cornyn Ms. Klobuchar Ms. Murkowski Mr. Leahy Mr. Crapo Mr. Whitehouse Ms. Ernst Mr. Brown Mr. Tillis Mr. Wyden Mr. Menendez Ms. Hirono Mrs. Shaheen Ms. Warren Ms. Smith Mr. Blumenthal Mr. Reed Mr. Tester Mr. Schatz Mr. Casey Ms. Cortez Masto Mr. Portman Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To deposit certain funds into the Crime Victims Fund, to waive matching requirements, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 2. Comprehensive fix of Crime Victims Fund and compensation (a) Crime victims fund Section 1402 of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 ( 34 U.S.C. 20101 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ; and (B) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) any funds that would otherwise be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury collected pursuant to— (A) a deferred prosecution agreement; or (B) a non-prosecution agreement. ; and (2) in subsection (e), by striking Director Director, except that renewals and extensions beyond that period may be granted at the discretion of the Attorney General (b) Crime victim compensation Section 1403 of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 ( 34 U.S.C. 20102 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking 40 percent in fiscal year 2002 and of 60 percent in subsequent fiscal years 75 percent (B) in paragraph (2), by striking of 40 percent in fiscal year 2002 and of 60 percent in subsequent fiscal years (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) For the purposes of calculating amounts awarded in the previous fiscal year under this subsection, the Director shall not require eligible crime victim compensation programs to deduct recovery costs or collections from restitution or from subrogation for payment under a civil lawsuit. ; (2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking authorities; authorities, except if a program determines such cooperation may be impacted due to a victim’s age, physical condition, psychological state, cultural or linguistic barriers, or any other health or safety concern that jeopardizes the victim's well-being; (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ; and (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) the term recovery costs . 3. Waiver of matching requirement (a) In general Section 1404(a) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 ( 34 U.S.C. 20103(a) (7) (A) Each chief executive may waive a matching requirement imposed by the Director, in accordance with subparagraph (B), as a condition for the receipt of funds under any program to provide assistance to victims of crimes authorized under this chapter. The chief executive shall report to the Director the approval of any waiver of the matching requirement. (B) Each chief executive shall establish and make public, a policy including— (i) the manner in which an eligible crime victim assistance program can request a match waiver; (ii) the criteria used to determine eligibility of the match waiver; and (iii) the process for decision making and notifying the eligible crime victim assistance program of the decision. . (b) National emergency waiver Section 1404(a) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 ( 34 U.S.C. 20103(a) (8) Beginning on the date a national emergency is declared under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 .	VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021
Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide medical center staff and homelessness service providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with information related to best practices for the collaboration on centralized or coordinated assessment systems established and operated by Continuums of Care. The VA must also ensure that the information and related resources are accessible to VA medical center staff and homelessness service providers. Additionally, the bill requires the VHA to communicate with VA employees who have responsibilities related to homelessness assistance programs regarding (1) the measurement of performance by the VA's Homeless Program Office, and (2) how to obtain and provide feedback about the performance measures.	117 S612 IS: Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 612 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 5, 2021 Mr. Portman Ms. Warren Mr. Durbin Mr. Van Hollen Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide certain information to medical center staff and homelessness service providers of the Department regarding the coordinated entry processes for housing and services operated under the Continuum of Care Program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021 2. Department of Veterans Affairs sharing of information relating to coordinated entry processes for housing and services operated under Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program (a) In general The Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall— (1) provide to staff of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs and homelessness service providers of the Department the information described in subsection (b); and (2) ensure that such information, and other resources the Under Secretary determines are appropriate, are accessible to such staff and providers. (b) Information described The information described in this subsection is information related to best practices with respect to the collaboration between medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, homelessness service providers of the Department, and local partners (including local offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or public housing agencies, and private and public local community organizations) on the centralized or coordinated assessment systems established and operated by Continuums of Care under section 578.7(a)(8) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, including making referrals and sharing data, as the Under Secretary determines appropriate. 3. Department of Veterans Affairs communication with employees responsible for homelessness assistance programs The Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall clearly communicate with employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs whose responsibilities are related to homelessness assistance programs regarding— (1) the measurement of performance of such programs by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department; and (2) how to obtain and provide feedback about performance measures.	Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021 This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program, an interagency program launched in 2005 to partner with countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa to counter terrorism and violent extremism. The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, shall establish the partnership program, which must coordinate all U.S. programs in North and West Africa related to various counterterrorism activities, such as building foreign-military capacity, enhancing border security, promoting youth employment, and supporting independent media to counter terrorist propaganda. The State Department must submit comprehensive, five-year strategies that include specified activities for the Sahel and Maghreb regions and for program counterterrorism efforts. Further, program activities must, among other things (1) be carried out in countries where there is an adequate level of partner country committment, and (2) have clearly defined outcomes and specific plans with indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact. Such activities must also take into account the counterterrorism and development strategies of partner countries and align with such strategies to the extent possible. The State Department shall notify Congress before obligating funds for such programs, and must submit annual reports about program activities.	117 S615 IS: Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 615 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 5, 2021 Mr. Menendez Mr. Risch Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To establish an interagency program to assist countries in North Africa and West Africa to improve immediate and long-term capabilities to counter terrorist threats, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) terrorist and violent extremist organizations, such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, the Islamic State of West Africa, and other affiliated groups, have killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians, displaced populations, destabilized local and national governments, and caused mass human suffering in the affected communities; (2) poor governance, political and economic marginalization, and lack of accountability for human rights abuses by security forces are drivers of extremism; (3) it is in the national security interest of the United States— (A) to combat the spread of terrorism and violent extremism; and (B) to build the capacity of partner countries to combat such threats in Africa; (4) terrorist and violent extremist organizations exploit vulnerable and marginalized communities suffering from poverty, lack of economic opportunity (particularly among youth populations), corruption, and weak governance; and (5) a comprehensive, coordinated interagency approach is needed to develop an effective strategy— (A) to address the security challenges in the Sahel-Maghreb; (B) to appropriately allocate resources and de-conflict programs; and (C) to maximize the effectiveness of United States defense, diplomatic, and development capabilities. 3. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States to assist countries in North Africa and West Africa, and other allies and partners that are active in those regions, in combating terrorism and violent extremism through a coordinated interagency approach with a consistent strategy that appropriately balances security activities with diplomatic and development efforts to address the political, socioeconomic, governance, and development challenges in North Africa and West Africa that contribute to terrorism and violent extremism. 4. Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program (a) In general (1) Establishment The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall establish a partnership program, which shall be known as the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Program (A) to improve governance and the capacities of countries in North Africa and West Africa to deliver basic services, particularly to at-risk communities, as a means of countering terrorism and violent extremism by enhancing state legitimacy and authority and countering corruption; (B) to address the factors that make people and communities vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist and violent extremist organizations, including economic vulnerability and mistrust of government and government security forces, through activities such as— (i) supporting strategies that increase youth employment opportunities; (ii) promoting girls’ education and women’s political participation; (iii) strengthening local governance and civil society capacity; (iv) improving government transparency and accountability; (v) fighting corruption; (vi) improving access to economic opportunities; and (vii) other development activities necessary to support community resilience; (C) to strengthen the rule of law in such countries, including by enhancing the capability of the judicial institutions to independently, transparently, and credibly deter, investigate, and prosecute acts of terrorism and violent extremism; (D) to improve the ability of military and law enforcement entities in partner countries— (i) to detect, disrupt, respond to, and prosecute violent extremist and terrorist activity, while respecting human rights; and (ii) to cooperate with the United States and other partner countries on counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts; (E) to enhance the border security capacity of partner countries, including the ability to monitor, detain, and interdict terrorists; (F) to identify, monitor, disrupt, and counter the human capital and financing pipelines of terrorism; or (G) to support the free expression and operations of independent, local-language media, particularly in rural areas, while countering the media operations and recruitment propaganda of terrorist and violent extremist organizations. (2) Assistance framework Program activities shall— (A) be carried out in countries in which the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development— (i) determines that there is an adequate level of partner country commitment; and (ii) has considered partner country needs, absorptive capacity, sustainment capacity, and efforts of other donors in the sector; (B) have clearly defined outcomes; (C) be closely coordinated among United States diplomatic and development missions, United States Africa Command, and relevant participating departments and agencies; (D) have specific plans with robust indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact; (E) complement and enhance efforts to promote democratic governance, the rule of law, human rights, and economic growth; (F) in the case of train and equip programs, complement longer-term security sector institution-building; and (G) have mechanisms in place to track resources and routinely monitor and evaluate the efficacy of relevant programs. (3) Consultation In coordinating activities through the Program, the Secretary of State shall consult, as appropriate, with the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media (formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors), and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as determined by the President. (4) Congressional notification Not later than 15 days before obligating amounts for an activity coordinated through the Program under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate congressional committees, in accordance with section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2394–1 (A) the foreign country and entity, as applicable, whose capabilities are to be enhanced in accordance with the purposes described in paragraph (1); (B) the amount, type, and purpose of support to be provided; (C) the absorptive capacity of the foreign country to effectively implement the assistance to be provided; (D) the anticipated implementation timeline for the activity; and (E) the plans to sustain any military or security equipment provided beyond the completion date of such activity, if applicable, and the estimated cost and source of funds to support such sustainment. (b) International coordination Efforts carried out under this section— (1) shall take into account partner country counterterrorism, counter-extremism, and development strategies; (2) shall be aligned with such strategies, to the extent practicable; and (3) shall be coordinated with counterterrorism and counter-extremism activities and programs in the areas of defense, diplomacy, and development carried out by other like-minded donors and international organizations in the relevant country. (c) Strategies (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and other relevant Federal Government agencies, shall submit the strategies described in paragraphs (2) and (3) to the appropriate congressional committees. (2) Comprehensive, 5-year strategy for the Sahel-Maghreb The Secretary of State shall develop a comprehensive, 5-year strategy for the Sahel-Maghreb, including details related to whole-of-government efforts in the areas of defense, diplomacy, and development to advance the national security, economic, and humanitarian interests of the United States, including— (A) efforts to ensure coordination with multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the Joint Force of the Group of Five of the Sahel, and with other relevant assistance frameworks; (B) a public diplomacy strategy and actions to ensure that populations in the Sahel-Maghreb are aware of the development activities of the United States Government, especially in countries with a significant Department of Defense presence or engagement through train and equip programs; (C) activities aimed at supporting democratic institutions and countering violent extremism with measurable goals and transparent benchmarks; (D) plans to help each partner country address humanitarian and development needs and to help prevent, respond to, and mitigate intercommunal violence; (E) a comprehensive plan to support security sector reform in each partner country that includes a detailed section on programs and activities being undertaken by relevant stakeholders and other international actors operating in the sector; and (F) a specific strategy for Mali that includes plans for sustained, high-level diplomatic engagement with stakeholders, including countries in Europe and the Middle East with interests in the Sahel-Maghreb, regional governments, relevant multilateral organizations, signatory groups of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, done in Algiers July 24, 2014, and civil society actors. (3) A comprehensive five-year strategy for Program counterterrorism efforts The Secretary of State shall develop a comprehensive 5-year strategy for the Program that includes— (A) a clear statement of the objectives of United States counterterrorism efforts in North Africa and West Africa with respect to the use of all forms of United States assistance to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism, including efforts— (i) to build military and civilian law enforcement capacity; (ii) to strengthen the rule of law; (iii) to promote responsive and accountable governance; and (iv) to address the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism; (B) a plan for coordinating programs through the Program pursuant to subsection (a)(1), including identifying the agency or bureau of the Department of State, as applicable, that will be responsible for leading and coordinating each such program; (C) a plan to monitor, evaluate, and share data and learning about the Program in accordance with monitoring and evaluation provisions under sections 3 and 4 of the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016 ( 22 U.S.C. 2394c (D) a plan for ensuring coordination and compliance with related requirements in United States law, including the Global Fragility Act of 2019 ( 22 U.S.C. 9801 (4) Consultation Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall consult with the appropriate congressional committees regarding the progress made towards developing the strategies required under paragraphs (2) and (3). (d) Supporting material in annual budget request (1) In general The Secretary of State shall include a description of the requirements, activities, and planned allocation of amounts requested by the Program in the budget materials submitted to Congress in support of the President’s annual budget request pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for the following 5 years. (2) Exception The requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply to activities of the Department of Defense conducted pursuant to authorities under title 10, United States Code. (e) Monitoring and evaluation of programs and activities Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes— (1) the progress made in meeting the objectives of the strategies required under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c), including any lessons learned in carrying out Program activities and any recommendations for improving such programs and activities; (2) the efforts taken to coordinate, de-conflict, and streamline Program activities to maximize resource effectiveness; (3) the extent to which each partner country has demonstrated the ability to absorb the equipment or training provided in the previous year under the Program, and as applicable, the ability to maintain and appropriately utilize such equipment; (4) the extent to which each partner country is investing its own resources to advance the goals described in subsection (a)(1) or is demonstrating a commitment and willingness to cooperate with the United States to advance such goals; (5) the actions taken by the government of each partner country receiving assistance under the Program to combat corruption, improve transparency and accountability, and promote other forms of democratic governance; (6) the assistance provided in each of the 3 preceding fiscal years under the Program, broken down by partner country, including the type, statutory authorization, and purpose of all United States security assistance provided to the country pursuant to authorities under title 10, United States Code, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151 train and equip (7) any changes or updates to the Comprehensive 5-Year Strategy for the Program required under subsection (c)(3) necessitated by the findings in this annual report. (f) Reporting requirement related to audit of bureau of african affairs monitoring and coordination of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until the earlier of the date on which all 13 recommendations in the September 2020 Department of State Office of Inspector General audit entitled Audit of the Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Monitoring and Coordination of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program (1) which of the 13 recommendations in AUD–MERO–20–42 have not been closed; (2) a description of progress made since the last report toward closing each recommendation identified under paragraph (1); (3) additional resources needed, including assessment of staffing capacity, if any, to complete action required to close each recommendation identified under paragraph (1); and (4) the anticipated timeline for completion of action required to close each recommendation identified under paragraph (1), including application of all recommendations into all existing security assistance programs managed by the Department of State under the Program. (g) Program administration Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to Congress that describes plans for conducting a written review of a representative sample of each of the security assistance programs administered by the Bureau of African Affairs that— (1) identifies potential waste, fraud, abuse, inefficiencies, or deficiencies; and (2) includes an analysis of staff capacity, including human resource needs, available resources, procedural guidance, and monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure that the Bureau of African Affairs is managing programs efficiently and effectively. (h) Form The strategies required under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c) and the report required under subsection (e) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (i) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate (2) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate (3) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate (4) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate (5) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives (6) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives (7) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives (8) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives	Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021
Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021 This bill requires the President to support and coordinate diplomatic engagement to secure a 10th general capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and to support the creation of an environmental fund and financing facility at the IDB. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Governor of the IDB to vote in favor an $80 billion increase in the capital stock of the IDB and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to additional shares of this capital stock.	117 S616 IS: Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 616 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 6 (legislative day, March 5), 2021 Mr. Menendez Mr. Rubio Mr. Kaine Mr. Cassidy Mr. Cardin Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To authorize the tenth general capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank and to strengthen recovery efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean related to the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The region of Latin America and the Caribbean has suffered severely from the coronavirus disease 2019 (commonly referred to as COVID–19 (2) In 2020, as a result of COVID–19, gross domestic product per capita fell 8.5 percent across Latin America and the Caribbean, entirely reversing steady advancements in regional gross domestic product per capita since 2010, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. (3) Initial assessments by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean indicate that, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the COVID–19 pandemic will have— (A) pushed an additional 45,500,000 people into poverty, increasing the total number of people living in poverty from 185,500,000 to 230,900,000, or approximately 37.3 percent of the Latin American and Caribbean population, in 2020; and (B) caused the total number of individuals living in extreme poverty to increase by 28,500,000 from 67,700,000 to 96,200,000, or approximately 15.5 percent of the Latin American and Caribbean population, in 2020. (4) The Inter-American Development Bank estimated in May 2020 that 17,000,000 formal jobs would be lost as a result of the pandemic, increasing the share of jobs in informal sectors of the region’s economies to 62 percent. September 2020 findings from the International Labour Organization noted that 34,000,000 workers across 9 countries in the region lost their jobs in the first half of 2020. (5) The pandemic also has complicated the humanitarian and development challenges countries across Latin America and the Caribbean face as hosts to more than 4,300,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, prompting the Inter-American Development Bank to launch a migration initiative that aims to provide $85,000,000 in grants and leverage investments of $1,100,000,000 in social protection, health, education, and employment. (6) The pandemic has severely disrupted education systems across Latin America and the Caribbean because of a lack of equipment and pedagogical tools required for effective remote schooling. According to data compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank, fewer than 30 percent of low-income families impacted by decisions to halt in-person classes have access to a computer and only around 60 percent of secondary school teachers have the skills needed for virtual instruction. (7) Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean continue to face enduring economic challenges, including persistent inequality, high levels of tax evasion and avoidance, and elevated debt levels. (8) The stability, sustainable development, and inclusive growth of economies in Latin America and the Caribbean is in the national interest of the United States, as the region accounts for 21.7 percent of United States trade in goods in 2019, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. (9) The Inter-American Development Bank is the world’s oldest and largest regional development bank, and has worked continuously since 1959 to foster economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. (10) The Inter-American Development Bank is uniquely positioned to advance post-pandemic recovery efforts and to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. As early as March 2020, the Inter-American Development Bank announced the allotment of up to $12,000,000,000 toward immediate public health responses, efforts to revitalize social safety nets for vulnerable populations, and strategic economic productivity and employment initiatives. (11) The 48 borrowing and non-borrowing member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank last agreed to a ninth general capital increase as part of the Bank’s annual meeting on March 20–22, 2010. (12) Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ( Public Law 116–136 CARES Act ability of foreign countries to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus and to the adverse economic impacts of coronavirus 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the spread of SARS–CoV–2, the virus that causes COVID–19, has had a significant impact on economic, social, and humanitarian conditions throughout Latin America and the Caribbean; (2) the Inter-American Development Bank is the preeminent multilateral development bank dedicated to regional economic and social development and the betterment of lives across Latin America and the Caribbean; (3) the Bank has played an integral role in supporting member countries with the coordination and implementation of policies to mitigate the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic, the Venezuelan refugee and migration crisis, and other crises in the Western Hemisphere; (4) a capital increase for the Bank would greatly increase its capacity to provide financing, institutional knowledge, and technical support to foster recovery and inclusion initiatives between regional governments, private sector entities, and international organizations; and (5) the United States, as a founding member of the Bank, should support a capital stock increase to ensure the Bank is prepared to offer additional support to member countries severely impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic and other crises. 4. Tenth general capital increase (a) Support for a general capital increase The President shall take steps to support a tenth general capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank. (b) Diplomatic engagement The President shall advance diplomatic engagement to build support among member countries of the Bank for a tenth general capital increase for the Bank in order to strengthen the capacity of the Bank— (1) to support Latin American and Caribbean countries in their efforts to address the COVID–19 pandemic and the related economic impact; and (2) to advance inclusive economic and social development in the Americas. (c) Progress report Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report detailing efforts to carry out subsections (a) and (b). (d) Tenth capital increase The Inter-American Development Bank Act ( 22 U.S.C. 283 42. Tenth capital increase (a) Vote authorized The United States Governor of the Bank is authorized to vote in favor of a resolution to increase the capital stock of the Bank by $80,000,000,000 over a period not to exceed 5 years. (b) Subscription authorized (1) In general The United States Governor of the Bank may subscribe on behalf of the United States to 1,990,714 additional shares of the capital stock of the Bank. (2) Limitation Any subscription by the United States to the capital stock of the Bank shall be effective only to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. (c) Limitations on authorization of appropriations (1) In general In order to pay for the increase in the United States subscription to the Bank under subsection (b), there is authorized to be appropriated $24,014,857,191 for payment by the Secretary of the Treasury. (2) Allocation of funds Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1)— (A) $600,371,430 shall be for paid in shares of the Bank; and (B) $23,414,485,761 shall be for callable shares of the Bank. . 5. Support for environmental sustainability initiatives of Inter-American Development Bank (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Inter-American Development Bank has served as an executing agency for the Global Environment Facility, a grant-making and financing facility supported by 182 countries to address global environmental issues and sustainable development. (2) The Bank has never had its own environmental grant-making and financing facility despite the fact that the Americas are home to the world’s largest tropical rain forest and include countries significantly affected by natural disasters annually. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Bank should— (1) establish its own environmental grant-making and financing facility in order to implement and expand environmental policies, metrics, and standards, to strengthen resilience and disaster preparedness, and to improve sustainability and conservation; and (2) continue to strengthen environmental safeguards as an element of economic development in the Western Hemisphere. (c) Diplomatic engagement The President shall advance diplomatic engagement to build support among member countries of the Bank for the creation of an environmental fund and financing facility as part of the tenth general capital increase for the Bank.	Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also makes conforming amendments related to the gift tax.	117 S617 IS: Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 617 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Thune Mr. Barrasso Mrs. Blackburn Mr. Blunt Mr. Boozman Mr. Cornyn Mr. Cotton Mr. Cramer Mr. Crapo Mr. Cruz Mr. Daines Ms. Ernst Mrs. Fischer Mr. Grassley Mr. Hoeven Mr. Inhofe Mr. Kennedy Mr. Marshall Mr. McConnell Mr. Moran Mr. Risch Mr. Rounds Mr. Rubio Mr. Scott of Florida Mr. Shelby Mr. Wicker Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 2. Repeal of estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes (a) Estate Tax Repeal Subchapter C of chapter 11 of subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 2210. Termination (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), this chapter shall not apply to the estates of decedents dying on or after the date of the enactment of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 (b) Certain Distributions From Qualified Domestic Trusts In applying section 2056A with respect to the surviving spouse of a decedent dying before the date of the enactment of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 (1) section 2056A(b)(1)(A) shall not apply to distributions made after the 10-year period beginning on such date, and (2) section 2056A(b)(1)(B) shall not apply on or after such date. . (b) Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Repeal Subchapter G of chapter 13 of subtitle B of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 2664. Termination This chapter shall not apply to generation-skipping transfers on or after the date of the enactment of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021 . (c) Conforming Amendments (1) The table of sections for subchapter C of chapter 11 Sec. 2210. Termination. . (2) The table of sections for subchapter G of chapter 13 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 2664. Termination. . (d) Effective Date The amendments made by this section shall apply to the estates of decedents dying, and generation-skipping transfers, after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Modifications of gift tax (a) Computation of gift tax Subsection (a) of section 2502 (a) Computation of tax (1) In general The tax imposed by section 2501 for each calendar year shall be an amount equal to the excess of— (A) a tentative tax, computed under paragraph (2), on the aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for such calendar year and for each of the preceding calendar periods, over (B) a tentative tax, computed under paragraph (2), on the aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for each of the preceding calendar periods. (2) Rate schedule If the amount with respect to which the tentative tax to be computed is: The tentative Not over $10,000 18% of such amount. Over $10,000 but not over $20,000 $1,800, plus 20% of the excess over $10,000. Over $20,000 but not over $40,000 $3,800, plus 22% of the excess over $20,000. Over $40,000 but not over $60,000 $8,200, plus 24% of the excess over $40,000. Over $60,000 but not over $80,000 $13,000, plus 26% of the excess over $60,000. Over $80,000 but not over $100,000 $18,200, plus 28% of the excess over $80,000. Over $100,000 but not over $150,000 $23,800, plus 30% of the excess over $100,000. Over $150,000 but not over $250,000 $38,800, plus 32% of the excess over $150,000. Over $250,000 but not over $500,000 $70,800, plus 34% of the excess over $250,000. Over $500,000 $155,800, plus 35% of the excess over $500,000. . (b) Treatment of Certain Transfers in Trust Section 2511 (c) Treatment of Certain Transfers in Trust Notwithstanding any other provision of this section and except as provided in regulations, a transfer in trust shall be treated as a taxable gift under section 2503, unless the trust is treated as wholly owned by the donor or the donor’s spouse under subpart E of part I of subchapter J of chapter 1. . (c) Lifetime gift exemption (1) In general Paragraph (1) of section 2505(a) (1) the amount of the tentative tax which would be determined under the rate schedule set forth in section 2502(a)(2) if the amount with respect to which such tentative tax is to be computed were $10,000,000, reduced by . (2) Inflation adjustment Section 2505 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Inflation adjustment (1) In general In the case of any calendar year after 2011, the dollar amount in subsection (a)(1) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by substituting calendar year 2010 calendar year 2016 (2) Rounding If any amount as adjusted under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10,000. . (d) Conforming amendments (1) Section 2505(a) of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence. (2) The heading for section 2505 of such Code is amended by striking Unified (3) The item in the table of sections for subchapter A of chapter 12 of such Code relating to section 2505 is amended to read as follows: Sec. 2505. Credit against gift tax. . (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to gifts made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (f) Transition rule (1) In general For purposes of applying sections 1015(d), 2502, and 2505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the calendar year in which this Act is enacted shall be treated as 2 separate calendar years one of which ends on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act and the other of which begins on such date of enactment. (2) Application of section 2504(b) For purposes of applying section 2504(b)	Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021
Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act This bill allows individual taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction in taxable years beginning in 2021 or 2022 for charitable contributions. The deduction is limited to one-third of the standard deduction allowed to such taxpayers.	117 S618 IS: Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 618 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Lankford Mr. Coons Mr. Lee Mrs. Shaheen Mr. Scott of South Carolina Ms. Klobuchar Ms. Collins Ms. Cortez Masto Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and extend the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals not itemizing deductions. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act 2. Modification and extension of deduction for charitable contributions for individuals not itemizing deductions (a) In general Subsection (p) of section 170 (p) Special rule for taxpayers who do not elect To itemize deductions In the case of a taxable year beginning in 2021 or 2022, the deduction under this subsection for the taxable year shall be equal to so much of the deduction determined under this section (without regard to this subsection) for such taxable year as does not exceed an amount equal to 1/3 . (b) Elimination of penalty (1) In general Section 6662(b) (2) Increased penalty Section 6662 of such Code is amended by striking subsection (l). (3) Conforming amendment Section 6751(b)(2)(A) of such Code is amended by striking 6655, or 6662 (but only with respect to an addition to tax by reason of subsection (b)(9) thereof) or 6655 (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.	Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act
Defending Our Defenders Act This bill establishes federal criminal offenses involving the murder of federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. Violators are subject to life in prison or death. The bill sets forth aggravating factors (e.g., intent to ambush or prior history of promoting violence against a law enforcement officer) to be considered in determining whether to impose the death penalty.	117 S619 IS: Defending Our Defenders Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 619 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Cotton Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to make the murder of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer a crime punishable by life in prison or death. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Defending Our Defenders Act 2. Murder of law enforcement officers (a) In general Chapter 51 1123. Murder of law enforcement officers (a) Federal law enforcement officers In the case of an individual who commits an offense described in section 1111 and the victim of the offense is a Federal law enforcement officer (as defined in section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 ( 34 U.S.C. 50301 (b) State and local law enforcement officers In the case of an individual who travels in interstate or foreign commerce or uses any facility interstate or foreign commerce, including the mail, telephone, radio, or television, with the intent to commit an offense described in section 1111 or who uses a weapon or instrument that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce to commit said offense, and the victim of the offense is a State or local law enforcement officer (as defined in section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 ( 34 U.S.C. 50301 (c) Aggravating factors In determining whether a sentence of death is to be imposed on a defendant convicted of an offense described in subsection (a) or (b), the jury, or if there is no jury, the court, shall consider, in addition to the factors described in section 3592(c), each of the following aggravating factors for which notice has been given and determine which, if any, exist: (1) Intent to ambush The defendant committed the offense by an act of ambush. (2) Prior statements advocating for or promoting violence against law enforcement officers The defendant has a prior history of advocating for or promoting acts of violence, including murder or assault, against a law enforcement officer. (3) Participation in or affiliation with anarchist or other violence promoting organization The defendant is a member of or affiliated with any organization that the Attorney General or other high ranking law enforcement official has determined to be an anarchist, domestic terrorist, or any other organization or group that actively promotes violence or the overthrow of the Federal Government. (4) Occurrence during organized anti-law enforcement officer activity The offense was committed during a time and in a place when there was active organized activity against or targeting law enforcement officers. (5) Attempt to prevent lawful execution of law enforcement duties The defendant committed the offense in attempt to evade or otherwise prevent the law enforcement officer from carrying out a lawful arrest or other lawful authorized law enforcement activity. (6) Prior threats The defendant has personally made prior threats of violence against a law enforcement officer. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as— (1) indicating an intent on the part of Congress to prevent any State, any possession or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia, from exercising jurisdiction over any offense over which the State, possession, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia would have jurisdiction in the absence of this section; or (2) depriving State and local law enforcement agencies of responsibility for prosecuting acts that may be violations of this section and that are violations of State or local law. . (b) Table of sections The table of sections for chapter 51 section 1122 1123. Murder of law enforcement officers. .	Defending Our Defenders Act
Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill sets forth requirements related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard must implement regulations related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels, including during severe weather emergencies. The Coast Guard may require operators of amphibious passenger vessels to provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or other means, to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew. Additionally, the Coast Guard must implement interim safety policies or other measures to require operators of amphibious passenger vessels operating in U.S. waters comply with certain requirements, including to remove the canopies of such vessels for waterborne operations, or to install in such vessels canopies that do not restrict either horizontal or vertical escape by passengers in the event of flooding or sinking. The bill also sets forth requirements for vessels that are not in compliance with the regulations and interim safety policies.	117 S62 IS: Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-02-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 62 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 27, 2021 Mr. Hawley Mr. Blunt Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To implement recommendations related to the safety of amphibious passenger vessels, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021 2. Safety requirements for amphibious passenger vessels (a) Safety improvements (1) Buoyancy requirements Not later than 1 year after the date of completion of a Coast Guard contracted assessment by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine of the technical feasibility, practicality, and safety benefits of providing reserve buoyancy through passive means on amphibious passenger vessels, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may initiate a rulemaking to prescribe in regulations that operators of amphibious passenger vessels provide reserve buoyancy for such vessels through passive means, including watertight compartmentalization, built-in flotation, or such other means as the Secretary may specify in the regulations, in order to ensure that such vessels remain afloat and upright in the event of flooding, including when carrying a full complement of passengers and crew. (2) Interim requirements Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall initiate a rulemaking to implement interim safety policies or other measures to require that operators of amphibious passenger vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) comply with the following: (A) Remove the canopies of such vessels for waterborne operations, or install in such vessels a canopy that does not restrict either horizontal or vertical escape by passengers in the event of flooding or sinking. (B) If the canopy is removed from such vessel pursuant to subparagraph (A), require that all passengers don a Coast Guard type-approved personal flotation device before the onset of waterborne operations of such vessel. (C) Install in such vessels at least one independently powered electric bilge pump that is capable of dewatering such vessels at the volume of the largest remaining penetration in order to supplement the vessel’s existing bilge pump required under section 182.520 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (D) Verify the watertight integrity of such vessel in the water at the outset of each waterborne departure of such vessel. (b) Regulations required Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall initiate a rulemaking for amphibious passenger vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). The regulations shall include, at a minimum, the following: (1) Severe weather emergency preparedness Requirements that an operator of an amphibious passenger vessel— (A) check and notate in the vessel’s logbook the National Weather Service forecast before getting underway and periodically while underway; (B) in the case of a watch or warning issued for wind speeds exceeding the wind speed equivalent used to certify the stability of an amphibious passenger vessel, proceed to the nearest harbor or safe refuge; and (C) maintain and monitor a weather monitor radio receiver at the operator station that may be automatically activated by the warning alarm device of the National Weather Service. (2) Passenger safety Requirements— (A) concerning whether personal flotation devices should be required for the duration of an amphibious passenger vessel’s waterborne transit, which shall be considered and determined by the Secretary; (B) that operators of amphibious passenger vessels inform passengers that seat belts may not be worn during waterborne operations; (C) that before the commencement of waterborne operations, a crew member visually check that each passenger has unbuckled the passenger’s seatbelt; and (D) that operators or crew maintain a log recording the actions described in subparagraphs (B) and (C). (3) Training Requirement for annual training for operators and crew of amphibious passengers vessels, including— (A) training for personal flotation and seat belt requirements, verifying the integrity of the vessel at the onset of each waterborne departure, identification of weather hazards, and use of National Weather Service resources prior to operation; and (B) training for crewmembers to respond to emergency situations, including flooding, engine compartment fires, man overboard situations, and in water emergency egress procedures. (4) Recommendations from reports Requirements to address recommendations from the following reports, as practicable and to the extent that such recommendations are under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard: (A) The National Transportation Safety Board’s Safety Recommendation Reports on the Amphibious Passenger Vessel incidents in Table Rock, Missouri, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Seattle, Washington. (B) The Coast Guard’s Marine Investigation Board reports on the Stretch Duck 7 sinkings at Table Rock, Missouri, and the Miss Majestic sinking near Hot Springs, Arkansas. (5) Interim requirements The interim requirements described in subsection (a)(2), as appropriate. (c) Prohibition on operation of noncompliant vessels Commencing as of the date specified by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating pursuant to subsection (d), any amphibious passenger vessel whose configuration or operation does not comply with the requirements under subsection (a)(2) (or subsection (a)(1), if prescribed) may not operate in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 2.38 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (d) Deadline for compliance The regulations and interim requirements described in subsections (a) and (b) shall require compliance with the requirements in the regulations not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, as the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may specify in the regulations. (e) Report Not later than 180 days after the promulgation of the regulations required under subsection (a), the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives regarding the status of the implementation of the requirements included in such regulations.	Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act of 2021
American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 This bill revises the definition of qualifying advanced energy project for purposes of the tax credit for such project. Specifically, the bill expands the definition to include property designed to produce energy from water, property designed to produce energy conservation technologies, light-, medium-, or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell vehicles, certain hybrid vehicles, and manufacturing facilities designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The definition also includes projects located in a census tract in which a coal mine closed after 1999 and in which a coal-fired electric generating unit was retired after 2009, and provides additional credit allocations for projects to retool, expand, or build new facilities that make or recycle energy-related products, and for projects in communities where coal mines have closed or coal-fired electric units have been retired.	117 S622 IS: American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 622 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Manchin Ms. Stabenow Mr. Daines Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the qualifying advanced energy project credit. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 2. Adjustment of qualifying advanced energy project credit (a) In general Section 48C (1) in subsection (c)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by inserting , any portion of the qualified investment of which is certified by the Secretary under subsection (d) as eligible for a credit under this section means a project (ii) in clause (i)— (I) by striking a manufacturing facility for the production of an industrial or manufacturing facility for the production or recycling of (II) in clause (I), by inserting water, sun, (III) in clause (II), by striking an energy storage system for use with electric or hybrid-electric motor vehicles energy storage systems and components (IV) in clause (III), by striking grids to support the transmission of intermittent sources of renewable energy, including storage of such energy grid modernization equipment or components (V) in subclause (IV), by striking and sequester carbon dioxide emissions , remove, use, or sequester carbon oxide emissions (VI) by striking subclause (V) and inserting the following: (V) equipment designed to refine, electrolyze, or blend any fuel, chemical, or product which is— (aa) renewable, or (bb) low-carbon and low-emission, , (VII) by striking subclause (VI), (VIII) by redesignating subclause (VII) as subclause (IX), (IX) by inserting after subclause (V) the following new subclauses: (VI) property designed to produce energy conservation technologies (including residential, commercial, and industrial applications), (VII) light-, medium-, or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell vehicles, as well as— (aa) technologies, components, or materials for such vehicles, and (bb) associated charging or refueling infrastructure, (VIII) hybrid vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 14,000 pounds, as well as technologies, components, or materials for such vehicles, or , and (X) in subclause (IX), as so redesignated, by striking and or (iii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: (ii) which re-equips an industrial or manufacturing facility with equipment designed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions well below current best practices through the installation of— (I) low- or zero-carbon process heat systems, (II) carbon capture, transport, utilization and storage systems, (III) energy efficiency and reduction in waste from industrial processes, or (IV) any industrial technology which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Secretary. . (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C), and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph: (B) Additional qualifying advanced energy projects The term qualifying advanced energy project (i) which, prior to the date of enactment of the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (ii) (I) in which, after December 31, 1999, a coal mine has closed, (II) in which, after December 31, 2009, a coal-fired electric generating unit has been retired, or (III) which is immediately adjacent to a census tract described in subclause (I) or (II). , (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking this section the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Limitations (i) Initial allocation The total amount of credits that may be allocated under the program prior to the date of enactment of the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (ii) Additional allocation The total amount of credits that may be allocated under the program on or after to the date of enactment of the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 , (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 2-year 3-year (ii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by striking 1 year 18 months (II) by adding at the end the following new sentence: Not later than 180 days after the date on which such evidence was provided by the applicant, the Secretary shall determine whether the requirements of the certification have been met. (iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Location of project In the case of an applicant which receives a certification, if the Secretary determines that the project has been placed in service at a location which is materially different than the location specified in the application for such project, the certification shall no longer be valid. , (C) in paragraph (3)— (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) shall take into consideration only those projects— (i) where there is a reasonable expectation of commercial viability, and (ii) which will ensure laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of any qualifying advanced energy project shall be paid wages at rates not less than the prevailing rates on projects of a similar character in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 , and (ii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following: (i) will provide the greatest net impact in avoiding or reducing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (or, in the case of a project described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii), will provide the greatest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as compared to current best practices), (ii) will provide the greatest domestic job creation (both direct and indirect) during the credit period, , (II) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (v) as clauses (iv) through (vi), respectively, and (III) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause: (iii) will provide the greatest job creation within the vicinity of the project, particularly with respect to— (I) low-income communities (as described in section 45D(e)), and (II) dislocated workers who were previously employed in manufacturing, coal power plants, or coal mining, , and (D) in paragraph (4)— (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) Review and report Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (i) review the credits allocated under this section as of such date, and (ii) submit a report regarding the allocation of such credits to— (I) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and (II) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. , and (ii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Special rule For purposes of reallocating credits pursuant to this paragraph, the limitation under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) with respect to allocation of credits to projects which are not located in a census tract described in subparagraph (B) of subsection (c)(1) shall not apply. , (3) in subsection (e), by inserting 45Q, section (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Technical assistance For purposes of assisting with applications for certification under subsection (d), the Secretary of Energy shall provide technical assistance to any State (or political subdivision thereof), tribe, or economic development organization which, prior to the date of enactment of the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (1) had no applicants for certification under such subsection, or (2) had less than 2 qualifying advanced energy projects which received an allocation of credits under such subsection. . (b) Authorization of appropriations To carry out subsection (f) of section 48C (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2021.	American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021
Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time, effective November 5, 2023. States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.	117 S623 IS: Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 623 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Rubio Mr. Lankford Mr. Blunt Mr. Whitehouse Mr. Wyden Mr. Scott of Florida Mrs. Hyde-Smith Mr. Markey Mr. Hagerty Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To make daylight saving time permanent, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 2. Making daylight saving time permanent (a) Repeal of temporary period for daylight saving time Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 ( 15 U.S.C. 260a (b) Advancement of standard time (1) In general The second sentence of subsection (a) of section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918 (commonly known as the Calder Act 15 U.S.C. 261 (A) by striking 4 hours 3 hours (B) by striking 5 hours 4 hours (C) by striking 6 hours 5 hours (D) by striking 7 hours 6 hours (E) by striking 8 hours by 7 hours (F) by striking 9 hours 8 hours (G) by striking 10 hours; 9 hours; (H) by striking 11 hours 10 hours (I) by striking 10 hours. 11 hours. (2) State exemption Such section is further amended by— (A) redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (B) inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Standard time for certain States and areas The standard time for a State that has exempted itself from the provisions of section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 ( 15 U.S.C. 260a(a) Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 (1) the standard time for such State or area, as the case may be, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section; or (2) the standard time for such State or area, as the case may be, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section as it was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 . (3) Conforming amendment Such section is further amended, in the second sentence, by striking Except as provided in section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 ( 15 U.S.C. 260a(a) Except as provided in subsection (b),	Sunshine Protection Act of 2021
Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021 This bill revises the royalty system applicable to leases of public lands for oil and gas production. Specifically, it increases royalty rates, rental rates, and minimum bidding standards for onshore oil and gas leasing. In addition, it establishes a new fee that must be paid by any person who nominates public lands for such leasing. Finally, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to adjust these rates and fees for inflation at least every four years.	117 S624 IS: Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 624 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Rosen Mr. Grassley Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to increase certain royalty rates, minimum bid amounts, and rental rates, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021 2. Increased onshore oil and gas royalty rates Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (1) by striking 12.5 18.75 (2) by striking 12 1/2 18.75 percent 3. Increased minimum bid amount Section 17(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(b) (1) in paragraph (1)(B)— (A) by striking the subparagraph designation and all that follows through the period at the end of the first sentence and inserting the following: (B) National minimum acceptable bid (i) In general Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (v), the national minimum acceptable bid shall be $10 per acre. ; (B) in the second sentence— (i) by striking Thereafter, the Secretary (ii) Adjustment The Secretary ; (ii) by striking is necessary: (i) to enhance is necessary— (I) to enhance ; and (iii) by striking (ii) to promote (II) to promote ; (C) in the third sentence, by striking Ninety days (iii) Notification 90 days ; (D) in the fourth sentence, by striking The proposal (iv) NEPA The proposal ; and (E) by adding at the end the following: (v) Exception To ensure a return of fair market value, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may establish in a notice of competitive lease sale a minimum acceptable bid applicable to the lease sale or 1 or more parcels within the lease sale that is higher than the national minimum bid under clause (i). ; and (2) in subsection (b)(2)(C), by striking $2 per acre 4. Increased onshore oil and gas rental rates Section 17(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(d) (1) by striking $1.50 per acre $3 per acre (2) by striking $2 per acre $5 per acre 5. Fee for expression of interest Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (q) Fee for expression of interest (1) In general The Secretary shall charge any person who submits, in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary to carry out this subsection, an expression of interest in leasing land available for disposition under this section for exploration for, and development of, oil or gas a fee, in an amount determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2). (2) Amount The fee authorized under paragraph (1) shall be established by the Secretary in an amount that is determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to cover the aggregate cost of processing an expression of interest under this subsection, but not less than $15 per acre of the area covered by the applicable expression of interest. . 6. Adjustment Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226 (r) Adjustment to certain fees The Secretary shall— (1) not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021 (2) as the Secretary determines to be necessary to enhance financial returns to the United States or to promote more efficient management of oil and gas resources on Federal land, promulgate regulations adjusting any of the applicable per-acre dollar amounts of fees imposed under subsection (b), (d), or (q) or subsection (e) or (f) of section 31, as applicable. . 7. Reinstatement of competitive leases Section 31 of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 188 (1) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) payment of back rentals and the inclusion in a reinstated lease of a requirement for future rentals at a rate of not less than $20 per acre per year; ; (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking the subparagraph designation; (II) by striking issued pursuant to the provisions of section 17(b) of this Act (III) by striking 16 2/3 25 (IV) by inserting and (ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and (C) in the second sentence of the undesignated matter following paragraph (4), by striking , but not to exceed $500 (2) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (3), by striking $5 $10 (B) in paragraph (4), by striking 12 1/2 25 8. Fiscal reform study and report (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall offer to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the Comptroller General of the United States, shall conduct a study evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. (b) Considerations The study conducted under subsection (a) shall include consideration of— (1) the systems of the Department of the Interior for collecting and auditing payments under this Act and the amendments made by this Act; (2) the performance of the stewardship of the Department of the Interior and the disposition of receipts by the Department of the Interior in carrying out this Act and the amendments made by this Act; and (3) the performance of the valuation approach carried out under this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including a review of whether other approaches could more fully capture foregone revenue of leasing in low-market conditions in light of other possible economic uses at different points in the future. (c) Report If the Comptroller General of the United States enters into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under subsection (a), not earlier than 3, but not later than 5, years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the study conducted under that subsection.	Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021
TRICARE Select Restoration Act This bill eliminates the TRICARE Select annual enrollment fee for beneficiaries who retired from the uniformed services before January 1, 2018.	117 S625 IS: TRICARE Select Restoration Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 625 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Tester Ms. Murkowski Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the enrollment fee requirement for TRICARE Select for members of the Armed Forces who retired before January 1, 2018. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the TRICARE Select Restoration Act 2. Elimination of enrollment fee requirement for TRICARE Select for certain retired members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Subsection (e) of section 1075 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) Exceptions to certain cost-Sharing amounts for certain retired beneficiaries (1) Notwithstanding subsection (d)— (A) the annual enrollment fee for TRICARE Select for beneficiaries who are former members of the uniformed services who retired before January 1, 2018, shall be $0; and (B) subject to paragraph (2), the annual enrollment fee for TRICARE Select for beneficiaries described in subsection (c)(2)(B) in the retired category who are not described in subparagraph (A) shall be $150 for an individual and $300 for a family. (2) The modified enrollment fee established under paragraph (1)(B) for beneficiaries described in subsection (c)(2)(B) in the retired category shall not apply with respect to the following beneficiaries: (A) Retired members and the family members of such members covered by paragraph (1) of section 1086(c) of this title by reason of being retired under chapter 61 of this title or being a dependent of such a member. (B) Survivors covered by paragraph (2) of such section 1086(c). . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to annual enrollment fees under TRICARE Select under section 1075 of title 10, United States Code, for coverage under TRICARE Select after December 31, 2021.	TRICARE Select Restoration Act
Lacey Act Amendments of 2021 This bill modifies the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act, which generally prohibits the import and shipment of listed living creatures and their eggs. First, the bill specifies that the prohibition on shipment applies to interstate shipments within the continental United States. Second, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue an emergency designation prohibiting the importation of a species if necessary to address an imminent threat to human beings, to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife, or to the wildlife resources of the United States. Third, the bill establishes a presumptive prohibition on the importation of any nonnative species of wild mammal, wild bird, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibian, or reptile, or the eggs of any such species. The presumption may be overcome if Interior determines that the species does not pose a significant risk of invasiveness to the United States.	117 S626 IS: Lacey Act Amendments of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 626 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Rubio Mr. Schatz Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections against the importation, and transport between States, of injurious species, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Lacey Act Amendments of 2021 2. Amendments (a) In general Section 42 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking shipment between the continental United States transport between the States (B) by inserting after the first sentence the following: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe by regulation an emergency designation prohibiting the importation of any species of wild mammals, wild birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibians, or reptiles, or the offspring or eggs of any such species, as injurious to human beings, to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife or the wildlife resources of the United States, for not more than 3 years, under this subsection, if the Secretary of the Interior determines that such regulation is necessary to address an imminent threat to human beings, to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife or the wildlife resources of the United States. An emergency designation prescribed under this subsection shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, unless the Secretary of the Interior prescribes an effective date that is not later than 60 days after the date of publication. During the period during which an emergency designation prescribed under this subsection for a species is in effect, the Secretary of the Interior shall evaluate whether the species should be designated as an injurious wildlife species under the first sentence of this paragraph. (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Presumptive prohibition on importation (1) In general Importation into the United States of any species of wild mammals, wild birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibians, or reptiles, or the offspring or eggs of any such species, that is not native to the United States and, as of the date of enactment of the Lacey Act Amendments of 2021 (A) during the 1-year period preceding the date of enactment of the Lacey Act Amendments of 2021 (i) imported into the United States; or (ii) transported between the States, any territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States; or (B) the Secretary of the Interior determines, after an opportunity for public comment, that the species does not pose a significant risk of invasiveness to the United States and publishes a notice in the Federal Register of the determination. (2) Rule of construction Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under subsection (a)(1). . (b) Conforming amendments Section 42(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting and subsection (d) this subsection (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking the foregoing paragraph (1) or subsection (d) (B) by striking this Act this section (3) in paragraph (4), by inserting or subsection (d) this subsection (4) in paragraph (5)— (A) by inserting and subsection (d) this subsection (B) by striking hereunder under such provisions (c) Regulations; effective date (1) Regulations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate regulations to define the term minimal quantities (2) Effective date Subsection (d) of section 42 of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(2), shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.	Lacey Act Amendments of 2021
Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act of 2021 This bill allows tax credits for (1) energy storage technologies, and (2) battery storage technology. The bill expands the tax credit for investments in energy property to include equipment that (1) receives, stores, and delivers energy using batteries, compressed air, pumped hydropower, hydrogen storage (including electrolysis), thermal energy storage, regenerative fuel cells, flywheels, capacitors, superconducting magnets, or other technologies identified by the Internal Revenue Service; and (2) has a capacity of at least five kilowatt hours. The bill also expands the tax credit for residential energy efficient property to include expenditures for battery storage technology that (1) is installed on or in connection with a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a residence by the taxpayer, and (2) has a capacity of at least three kilowatt hours.	117 S627 IS: Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 627 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Heinrich Ms. Collins Mr. Schatz Mr. Bennet Mr. Whitehouse Ms. Hirono Ms. Smith Mr. Reed Mr. Booker Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Van Hollen Mr. King Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax credits for energy storage technologies, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act of 2021 2. Energy credit for energy storage technologies (a) In general Subclause (II) of section 48(a)(2)(A)(i) paragraph (3)(A)(i) clause (i) or (ix) of paragraph (3)(A) (b) Energy storage technologies Subparagraph (A) of section 48(a)(3) or or (ix) equipment which receives, stores, and delivers energy using batteries, compressed air, pumped hydropower, hydrogen storage (including electrolysis), thermal energy storage, regenerative fuel cells, flywheels, capacitors, superconducting magnets, or other technologies identified by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, and which has a capacity of not less than 5 kilowatt hours, . (c) Phaseout of credit Paragraph (6) of section 48(a) (1) by striking energy and energy storage (2) by striking paragraph (3)(A)(i) clause (i) or (ix) of paragraph (3)(A) (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2020. 3. Residential energy efficient property credit for battery storage technology (a) In general Subsection (a) of section 25D (1) by striking and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) the qualified battery storage technology expenditures, . (b) Qualified battery storage technology expenditure Subsection (d) of section 25D (7) Qualified battery storage technology expenditure The term qualified battery storage technology expenditure (A) is installed on or in connection with a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a residence by the taxpayer, and (B) has a capacity of not less than 3 kilowatt hours. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to expenditures paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.	Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act of 2021
GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021 This bill requires federal agencies to report to the Government Accountability Office certain information about agency rules that are made ineffective due to an agency action or other reason.	117 S629 IS: GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 629 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Scott of Florida Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To amend chapter 8 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021 2. Rules no longer in effect Section 801(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (D) For any rule submitted under subparagraph (A), if the Federal agency promulgating the rule, in whole or in part, revokes, suspends, replaces, amends, or otherwise makes the rule ineffective, or the rule is made ineffective for any other reason, the Federal agency shall submit to the Comptroller General a report containing— (i) the title of the rule; (ii) the Federal Register citation for the rule, if any; (iii) the date on which rule was submitted to the Comptroller General; and (iv) a description of the provisions of the rule that are being revoked, suspended, replaced, amended, or otherwise made ineffective. .	GAO Database Modernization Act of 2021
Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Office of Emerging Markets within the Small Business Administration to oversee the planning, coordination, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of efforts to enhance the economic well-being of small business concerns in emerging markets.	117 S63 IS: Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-01-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 63 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 27, 2021 Mr. Cardin Ms. Duckworth Ms. Hirono Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship A BILL To establish an Office of Emerging Markets within the Small Business Administration that will strengthen the development of small business concerns in emerging markets, including those owned by women, minorities, veterans, and those located in rural areas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2021 2. Office of Emerging Markets Section 7 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636 (o) Office of Emerging Markets (1) Definitions In this subsection— (A) the term Associate Administrator (B) the term Director (C) the term microloan program (D) the term Reservist (E) the term rural area (F) the term service-connected (G) the term small business concern in an emerging market (i) that is located in— (I) a low-income or moderate-income area for purposes of the Community Development Block Grant Program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 5301 (II) a HUBZone, as that term is defined in section 31(b); (III) a community that has been designated as an empowerment zone or an enterprise community under section 1391 (IV) a community that has been designated as a Promise Zone by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; (V) a community that has been designated as a qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z–1 (VI) a rural area; (ii) that has more than 50 percent of employees residing in a low- or moderate-income community; (iii) that is growing, newly established, or a startup, as those terms are used in subsection (m); (iv) owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and other minorities; (v) owned and controlled by women; (vi) owned and controlled by veterans; (vii) owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans; or (viii) not less than 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more— (I) members of the Armed Forces participating in the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense; (II) Reservists; (III) spouses of veterans, members of the Armed Forces, or Reservists; (IV) surviving spouses of veterans who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability; or (V) individuals with a disability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12102 (2) Establishment There is established within the Administration the Office of Emerging Markets, which shall be— (A) under the general management and oversight of the Administration; and (B) responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the efforts of the Administrator to enhance the economic well-being of small business concerns in an emerging market. (3) Director (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2021 (i) supervise the Office of Emerging Markets and report to the Associate Administrator; and (ii) be in the Senior Executive Service. (B) Duties The Director shall— (i) create and implement strategies and programs that provide an integrated approach to the development of small business concerns in an emerging market; (ii) develop and recommend policies concerning the microloan program and any other access to capital program of the Administration, as such programs pertain to small business concerns in an emerging market; (iii) establish partnerships to advance the goal of improving the economic success of small business concerns in an emerging market; and (iv) review the effectiveness and impact of the microloan program and any other access to capital program of the Administration that is targeted to serve small business concerns in an emerging market. (C) Consultation In carrying out the duties under this paragraph, the Director shall consult with district offices of the Administration. .	Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2021
COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act This bill requires the National Institute of Mental Health to support mental health research activities related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The institute must coordinate these activities with other components of the National Institutes of Health.	117 S631 IS: COVID–19 Mental Health Research Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 631 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Klobuchar Mr. Kaine Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to conduct or support research on the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Mental Health Research Act 2. Research on the mental health impact of COVID–19 (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary (b) Use of funds Research under subsection (a) may include— (1) research on the mental health impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on health care providers, including— (A) traumatic stress; (B) psychological distress; (C) psychiatric disorders; and (D) longer-term stress, including burnout; (2) research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 stressors on mental health over time; (3) research to strengthen the mental health response to SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19, including adapting to and maintaining or providing additional services for new or increasing mental health needs; (4) research on the reach, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of digital mental health interventions; (5) research on the effectiveness of strategies for implementation and delivery of evidence-based mental health interventions and services for underserved populations; (6) research on suicide prevention; (7) research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on the mental health of specific populations, including children and adolescents, women, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and members of racial and ethnic minority groups; and (8) research on the impact of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19 on the mental health of individuals experiencing long-term symptoms or side effects after infection. (c) Research coordination The Secretary shall coordinate activities under this section with similar activities conducted by national research institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health to the extent that such institutes and centers have responsibilities that are related to the mental health consequences of SARS–CoV–2 or COVID–19. (d) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended. (e) Supplement not supplant Amounts made available to carry out this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other funding made available to the National Institute of Mental Health.	COVID–19 Mental Health Research Act
Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2036 the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The bill also repeals the limitation on the total amount of funding that may be appropriated for the corridor and heritage area.	109 S635 IS: The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 635 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Murphy Mr. Blumenthal Mr. Markey Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To reauthorize The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act 2. Reauthorization of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (a) Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor (1) Reauthorization Section 106(b) of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 ( 54 U.S.C. 320101 Public Law 103–449 2021 2036 (2) Repeal of total funding cap Section 109(a) of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 ( 54 U.S.C. 320101 Public Law 103–449 (b) Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (1) Repeal of total funding cap Section 280A(a) of the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Act ( 54 U.S.C. 320101 Public Law 109–338 (2) Reauthorization Section 280B of the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Act ( 54 U.S.C. 320101 Public Law 109–338 15 years 30 years	The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2021 This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance requiring federal agencies to report annually to Congress regarding certain federally funded projects that are (1) more than five years behind schedule, or (2) have expenditures that are at least $1 billion more than the original cost estimate for the project.	117 S636 IS: Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 636 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Ernst Mr. Peters Mr. Braun Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to submit to Congress an annual report on projects that are over budget and behind schedule, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2021 2. Annual report (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term covered agency (A) an Executive agency, as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and (B) an independent regulatory agency, as defined in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code; (2) the term covered project (A) that is more than 5 years behind schedule; or (B) for which the amount spent on the project is not less than $1,000,000,000 more than the original cost estimate for the project; and (3) the term project 2 U.S.C. 900(c) (b) Requirement Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance requiring covered agencies to include, on an annual basis in a report described in paragraph (2) of section 3516(a) of title 31, United States Code, or a consolidated report described in paragraph (1) of such section, information relating to each covered project of the covered agency, which shall include— (1) a brief description of the covered project, including— (A) the purpose of the covered project; (B) each location in which the covered project is carried out; (C) the contract or award number of the covered project, where applicable; (D) the year in which the covered project was initiated; (E) the Federal share of the total cost of the covered project; and (F) each primary contractor, subcontractor, grant recipient, and subgrantee recipient of the covered project; (2) an explanation of any change to the original scope of the covered project, including by the addition or narrowing of the initial requirements of the covered project; (3) the original expected date for completion of the covered project; (4) the current expected date for completion of the covered project; (5) the original cost estimate for the covered project, as adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (6) the current cost estimate for the covered project, as adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (7) an explanation for a delay in completion or an increase in the original cost estimate for the covered project, including, where applicable, any impact of insufficient or delayed appropriations; and (8) the amount of and rationale for any award, incentive fee, or other type of bonus, if any, awarded for the covered project.	Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2021
Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act This bill authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a two-year pilot program to award grants to highly qualified early-career investigators to carry out an independent research program at the institution of higher education chosen by such investigator, to last for a period not greater than two years. In awarding grants, the NSF shall give priority to (1) early-career investigators who are from groups that are underrepresented in scientific research, and (2) early-career investigators who choose to carry out independent research at a minority-serving institution.	117 S637 IS: Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 637 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Blumenthal Mr. Merkley Mr. Coons Mr. Brown Mr. Van Hollen Ms. Klobuchar Ms. Hirono Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To forestall the loss of research talent by establishing a temporary early career research fellowship program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The Nation’s universities and industrial research labs are facing unprecedented budget pressure as part of the COVID–19 health crisis, resulting in considerably fewer openings for research and teaching positions. (2) Emergency funding is needed to forestall the loss of research talent likely to occur if early-career researchers are forced to seek employment outside of research due to the sharp economic decline caused by the COVID–19 health crisis. 3. Early-career research fellowship program (a) In general The Director of the National Science Foundation may establish a 2-year pilot program to award grants to highly qualified early-career investigators to carry out an independent research program at the institution of higher education chosen by such investigator, to last for a period not greater than 2 years. (b) Institution of higher education defined The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 (c) Priority for broadening participation In awarding grants under this section, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall give priority to— (1) early-career investigators who are from groups that are underrepresented in scientific research; and (2) early-career investigators who choose to carry out independent research at a minority-serving institution. 4. Reports (a) Reports from grantees Not later than 180 days after the end of the pilot program under section 3, each early-career investigator who receives a grant under this Act shall submit a report to the Director of the National Science Foundation that describes how the early-career investigator used the grant funds under this Act. (b) Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the deadline for the submission of the reports described in subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives that contains a summary of the uses of grant funds and the impact of the grant program under this Act.	Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act
Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act This bill revises the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that the design and construction of a project carried out under the program must have appropriate payment and performance security, regardless of whether the obligor is a state, local government, agency or instrumentality of a state or local government, public authority, or private party. DOT may accept such payment and performance security requirements if it makes a written determination that the federal interest is adequately protected.	117 S638 IS: Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 638 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Van Hollen Mr. Rounds Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, to include a payment and performance security requirement for certain infrastructure financing, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act 2. Federal requirements for TIFIA eligibility and project selection (a) In general Section 602(c) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Payment and performance security (A) In general The Secretary shall ensure that the design and construction of a project carried out with assistance under the TIFIA program shall have appropriate payment and performance security, regardless of whether the obligor is a State, local government, agency or instrumentality of a State or local government, public authority, or private party. (B) Written determination If payment and performance security is required to be furnished by applicable statute or regulation, the Secretary may accept such payment and performance security requirements applicable to the obligor if the Secretary has made a written determination that the Federal interest with respect to Federal funds and other project risk related to design and construction is adequately protected. (C) No determination or applicable requirements If a determination under this paragraph has not been made or there are no payment and performance security requirements applicable to the obligor, the security under section 3131(b) of title 40 shall be required. . (b) Applicability The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to any contract entered into on or after the date of enactment of this Act.	Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act
Grandfamilies Technical Assistance Center Act This bill provides additional FY2021 funding for the Administration for Community Living to establish a National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families. The center must provide technical assistance to government agencies, nonprofits, and other community-based organizations that support kinship caregiver families. The focus must be on families in which the primary caregiver is 55 years or older or the child has one or more disabilities.	117 S639 IS: Grandfamilies Technical Assistance Center Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 639 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Casey Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To establish a National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grandfamilies Technical Assistance Center Act 2. National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families (a) In general In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain available through September 30, 2025, to establish, directly or through grants or contracts, a National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families (in this section referred to as the Center (b) Activities of the Center The Center shall— (1) engage experts to stimulate the development of new and identify existing evidence-based, evidence-informed, and exemplary practices or programs related to health promotion (including mental health and substance use disorder treatment), education, nutrition, housing, financial needs, legal issues, disability self-determination, caregiver support, and other issues to help serve caregivers, children, and their parents in grandfamilies and kinship families; (2) encourage and support the implementation of the evidence-based, evidence-informed, and exemplary practices or programs identified under paragraph (1) to support grandfamilies and kinship families and to promote coordination of services for grandfamilies and kinship families across systems that support them; (3) facilitate learning across States, territories, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations for providing technical assistance, resources, and training related to issues described in paragraph (1) to individuals and entities across systems that directly work with grandfamilies and kinship families; (4) help government programs, nonprofit and other community-based organizations, and Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, serving grandfamilies and kinship families, to plan and coordinate responses to assist grandfamilies and kinship families during national, State, Tribal, territorial, and local emergencies and disasters; and (5) assist government programs, and nonprofit and other community-based organizations, in promoting equity and implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches as the programs and organizations serve grandfamilies and kinship families.	Grandfamilies Technical Assistance Center Act
Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2021 This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide grants to institutions of higher education to reduce tuition for state or local election officials, employees of such election officials, and employees of the EAC who are enrolled in accredited certificate programs in election administration or cybersecurity at such institutions.	117 S640 IS: Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 640 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Klobuchar Ms. Collins Committee on Rules and Administration A BILL To provide grants to support continuing education in election administration or cybersecurity for election officials and employees. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2021 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) free and fair elections are central to our democracy; (2) protecting our elections from foreign adversaries is a national security priority; (3) the States conduct elections and it is important to maintain State leadership in election administration; (4) the States deserve Federal support to secure our elections from interference by foreign nations; and (5) election security in the United States will benefit from continued education and investment in the individuals that administer our elections. 3. Supporting continuing education for election officials and employees (a) Program authority and method of distribution The Election Assistance Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission (b) Eligible certificate program enrollee In this section, the term eligible certificate program enrollee (1) is a State or local election official, an employee of a State or local election official, or an employee of the Commission; (2) certifies to the Commission their enrollment in an accredited certificate program in election administration or cybersecurity; and (3) submits to the Commission— (A) a receipt or other verification determined appropriate by the Commission of the tuition amount for such certificate program; and (B) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commission may require. (c) Amount of grants The amount of a grant for an eligible certificate program enrollee under this section for a year shall be an amount equal to 75 percent of the tuition amount for the accredited certificate program in election administration or cybersecurity for the year. (d) Additional definitions In this section: (1) Accredited certificate program in election administration or cybersecurity The term accredited certificate program in election administration or cybersecurity (2) Eligible institution The term eligible institution 20 U.S.C. 1001 (A) offers an accredited certificate program in election administration or cybersecurity; and (B) elects to participate in the program established under this section. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030.	Invest in Our Democracy Act of 2021
Landowner Fairness Act This bill limits the use of eminent domain to take private property for the construction and operation of a natural gas pipeline facility. Specifically, this bill ends the legal presumption that natural gas exports are by definition in the public interest. In addition, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must consider certain factors in issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity for natural gas projects. Finally, the bill prohibits the holder of a certification of public convenience and necessity from exercising the right of eminent domain for a pipeline designed to export liquefied natural gas to a foreign country.	117 S641 IS: Landowner Fairness Act U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 641 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Wyden Mr. Merkley Mr. Booker Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider certain factors in issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity under that Act, to modify the requirements for the right to exercise eminent domain in construction of pipelines under that Act, to provide that the right of eminent domain may not be exercised under that Act for projects for the exportation of natural gas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Landowner Fairness Act 2. No presumption of public interest Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b (g) No presumption of public interest In determining whether a proposed exportation of natural gas is consistent with the public interest under subsection (a), the Commission, and any other Federal agency that may be involved in the determination, shall not make a presumption that the exportation is consistent with the public interest. . 3. Balancing considerations of public necessity Section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f(e) (1) in the second sentence, by striking The Commission (2) Terms and conditions The Commission ; (2) by striking (e) Except (e) Procedure (1) In general Except ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) Factors for consideration In determining whether a proposed project is or will be required by the present or future public convenience and necessity under paragraph (1), the Commission shall make findings of fact, based on the evidence in the record before the Commission, regarding, at a minimum— (A) the private property rights of any impacted landowners, including viable alternatives to eminent domain proceedings; (B) whether the benefits of the project accrue substantially to the public at large, rather than to the applicant or a limited private interest; (C) the practicability of alternatives and substitutes to the project, including whether there exists available capacity of— (i) natural gas in a similar project; or (ii) a substitute to natural gas; (D) any wildlife and ecological impacts of the project, including impacts recognized in the States and local jurisdictions in which the project is proposed to be located; (E) the net noxious chemical and greenhouse gas emissions that the project would emit or offset during the course of the construction and service life of the project; and (F) the extent to which the project increases environmental and health burdens to low-income communities and communities of color. . 4. Notice to landowners (a) Initial notice to affected landowners Section 7(d) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f(d) (1) by striking (d) Application for certificates (d) Applications (1) In general An application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Requirements for notice (A) In general Before serving a notice described in paragraph (1), the applicant shall submit the notice to the Commission for review and approval. (B) Approval The Commission shall only approve a notice under subparagraph (A) if the notice satisfies all applicable requirements of this section. (C) Instructions for motions to intervene A notice described in paragraph (1) shall include complete instructions regarding the method by which a notice recipient can move to intervene, through electronic or paper filing, in the application process, including— (i) a clear statement of the required contents of such a motion to intervene; (ii) a separate, bolded section informing notice recipients that the notice recipients must intervene in the application process to preserve the right to judicial review; and (iii) the deadline for moving to intervene, which shall be not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on which the notice recipient is confirmed to have received the notice. (D) Requirement The applicant shall submit to the Commission, together with the notice under subparagraph (A), a list of all persons to whom the applicant is required to serve the notice, including— (i) the address of each such person; and (ii) after receipt of the notice by each such person, confirmation of receipt of the notice. (E) Disclosure On request by any person, not later than 15 days after the date of receipt of the request, the Commission shall disclose to that person the list submitted under subparagraph (D). . (b) Subsequent notice to affected landowners Section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f(e) (4) Rehearing notice requirement (A) In general Not later than 15 days after the date on which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued under paragraph (1), the holder of the certificate of public convenience and necessity shall serve to all persons that received notice under subsection (d) an actual notice of the decision of the Commission to issue the certificate of public convenience and necessity. (B) Contents A notice under subparagraph (A) shall include complete instructions regarding the method by which a notice recipient can petition for a rehearing of the decision of the Commission to issue the certificate of public convenience and necessity, including— (i) the required contents of a petition for rehearing; (ii) a separate, bolded section informing notice recipients that the notice recipients must petition for a rehearing on an issue covered by the certificate to preserve the right to judicial review on that issue; and (iii) information regarding the requirements for rehearing and judicial review under subsections (a) and (b) of section 19 that apply to the petition for rehearing, including a specific reference to any relevant deadlines applicable to the petition. . 5. Requirements for exercise of eminent domain (a) In general Section 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f(h) (1) in the second sentence— (A) by striking where the property is situated: Provided, in which the property is situated, subject to the condition that the (B) by striking The practice (2) Practice and procedure The practice ; (2) by striking (h) When any holder (h) Eminent domain (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (4), in any case in which a holder ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) Requirements (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), a holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may not exercise the right of eminent domain for a project under this subsection until the latest of, as applicable— (i) the date on which the holder has received all required certifications and authorizations for the project from any Federal agencies (other than the Commission) or State administrative agencies acting pursuant to Federal law; (ii) the date on which the applicant serves each notice in accordance with subsection (e)(4); and (iii) the date on which each timely motion to intervene relating to the certificate under subsection (d)(2)(C) has been acted on by the Commission. (B) Effect of vacated or rescinded certification or authorization If a certification or authorization for a project from any Federal agency (other than the Commission) or State administrative agency acting pursuant to Federal law is rescinded or vacated— (i) the holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the project may not exercise the right of eminent domain for the project under this subsection; and (ii) if land has already been acquired by the exercise of the right of eminent domain under this subsection, construction of the project on that land shall be prohibited. . (b) Limitation on use of eminent domain for exports Section 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f(h) (4) Limitation on use of eminent domain for exports A holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity may not exercise the right of eminent domain under this subsection if the project covered by the certificate is a project to be constructed substantially for the purpose of transporting natural gas to an LNG terminal for export from the United States to a foreign country. . 6. Requirement to execute project only for certain purposes Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f (i) Requirement To execute project only for certain purposes The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall execute the project covered by the certificate only for the purposes that were— (1) expressly described in the application for the certificate; and (2) communicated to— (A) the Commission; (B) the persons that received a notice of the application for the certificate under subsection (d); and (C) the public. . 7. Conditions under which certificate of public convenience and necessity may be rescinded Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f (j) Conditions under which certificate may be rescinded (1) In general A certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be rescinded on a determination by the Commission, or on a determination after a rehearing, that— (A) the scope of the project covered by the certificate has changed materially; (B) the rationale of public convenience and necessity by which the Commission issued the certificate has changed; or (C) the applicant has failed to begin substantial construction on the project covered by the certificate, such that the observed delay is not consistent with a prior finding of public convenience and necessity. (2) Failure to initiate substantial construction If the holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity fails to initiate substantial construction of the project covered by the certificate by the date specified by the certificate, the certificate shall be rescinded on that date. (3) Reapplication The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity rescinded under paragraph (1) or (2) may reapply for the certificate in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Act. (4) Requirement Any certificate of public convenience and necessity that is issued by the Commission shall include the condition that title in and to any property that was acquired under subsection (h)(1) by the exercise of the right of eminent domain pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity that was rescinded under paragraph (1) or (2) shall immediately revert to the prior property owner. . 8. Requirements for acquisition of property Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f (k) Requirements for acquisition of property (1) Appraisal (A) In general A holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity seeking to acquire property for the project covered by the certificate by just compensation or the exercise of the right of eminent domain under subsection (h)(1) shall, prior to making an offer of just compensation or exercising that right, appraise the property in accordance with— (i) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and (ii) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. (B) Opportunity to accompany appraiser during inspection The owner of any property subject to an appraisal under subparagraph (A), or the designated representative of the owner, shall be given an opportunity to accompany the appraiser during the inspection by the appraiser of the property. (2) Just compensation A holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity seeking to acquire property for the project covered by the certificate by just compensation shall make the offer of just compensation— (A) in writing; and (B) in an amount that— (i) is not less than the fair market value of the property, as defined by the appraiser; and (ii) includes just compensation for any damages that would result to the remaining property of the owner. (3) Surrender of property The owner of property to be acquired by a holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall not be required to surrender possession of the property before, as applicable— (A) the holder pays the agreed purchase price; or (B) if the property is acquired through a proceeding under which the holder exercised the right of eminent domain under subsection (h)(1), the owner receives the compensation awarded by the court in that proceeding. . 9. Appeal rights to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (a) In general Section 19(a) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717r(a) (1) in the first sentence, by striking (a) Any person, State, municipality, or State commission aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in a proceeding under this act to which such person, State, municipality, or State commission is a party may apply (a) Rehearing (1) Petitions for rehearing (A) In general Any person, State, municipality, or State commission that is aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in a proceeding under this Act to which the person, State, municipality, or State commission is a party may petition ; (2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: (B) Limitation No proceeding to review an order of the Commission shall be brought by a person unless the person has submitted to the Commission a petition for rehearing regarding the order in accordance with this paragraph. (C) Contents A petition for rehearing under this paragraph shall describe specifically the one or more grounds on which the petition is based. ; (3) in the third sentence, by striking Upon such application (2) Action by commission (A) In general On receipt of a petition under paragraph (1), ; (4) by striking the fourth and fifth sentences and inserting the following: (B) Effect of failure to act In any case in which the Commission fails to issue a final agency action that is reviewable under subsection (b) with respect to a petition for rehearing by the date that is 60 days after the date on which the petition is filed, the petition shall be deemed to be denied. ; and (5) in the sixth sentence, by striking Until the record in a proceeding shall have been (C) Deadline for action Until the date on which the record relating to a proceeding is . (b) Stay of Commission order Section 19(c) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717r(c) (1) in the second sentence, by striking The commencement (4) Effect of commencement of proceedings The commencement ; (2) in the first sentence, by striking (c) The filing of an application (c) Stay of commission order (1) In general The filing of a petition ; (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— (A) by striking not, unless specifically ordered by the Commission, (B) by inserting during the period in which the Commission is considering the petition for rehearing (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so designated) the following: (2) Effect of grant of rehearing (A) In general If the Commission grants a rehearing on the merits of an order of the Commission pursuant to a petition for rehearing, the order shall be deemed to be nonfinal for purposes of section 7(h). (B) Eminent domain With respect to an order of the Commission that is deemed to be nonfinal under subparagraph (A), beginning on the date on which the rehearing proceedings commence under subsection (b) with respect to the order and ending on the date on which the applicable court issues a final judgment and decree under that subsection with respect to the order— (i) no district or State court shall have jurisdiction over eminent domain proceedings under section 7(h) that are commenced pursuant to that order; and (ii) the holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the order may not exercise the right of eminent domain under section 7(h). (3) Effect of denial of rehearing If the Commission denies a petition for rehearing or fails to act on the petition for rehearing by the deadline described in subsection (a)(2)(B), the order that is the subject of the petition shall be deemed to be final for all purposes. . (c) Technical amendments Section 19(b) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717r(b) (1) by striking application petition (2) by striking such petition the written petition praying that the order of the Commission be modified or set aside in whole or in part	Landowner Fairness Act
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 This bill expands provisions prohibiting discrimination against disabled individuals by an air carrier. Specifically, it enumerates certain actions that an air carrier must take or may not take with respect to a disabled individual. It also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that disabled individuals traveling in air transportation are able to file complaints with DOT in response to disability-related discrimination and receive assistance from DOT through a hotline or comparable electronic means. The bill authorizes an aggrieved individual and the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for discrimination. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards for aircraft with new or existing type certificates to ensure the accessibility of individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. The standards shall address, among other things, boarding and deplaning equipment, seating accommodations, lavatories, visually accessible announcements, and proper stowage of assistive devices in the cargo hold to prevent damage.	99 S642 IS: Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 642 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Baldwin Mr. Casey Mr. Blumenthal Mr. Markey Mr. Merkley Ms. Duckworth Ms. Hassan Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To protect the rights of passengers with disabilities in air transportation, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 2. Findings; sense of Congress (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 ( Public Law 99–435 ACAA (2) Despite the effort, individuals, including veterans, with disabilities continue to experience significant barriers to and with traveling in air transportation, such as— (A) damaged assistive devices; (B) inaccessible aircraft, lavatories, and communication media; (C) delayed assistance; (D) treatment of service animals; (E) inadequate disability cultural competency; and (F) a lack of suitable seating accommodations. (b) Sense of Congress The following is the sense of Congress: (1) Access for individuals with disabilities in air transportation must move into the 21st century. Otherwise, individuals with disabilities will be left behind and unable to compete in today’s job market or enjoy the opportunities available to other citizens of the United States. (2) Aircraft must be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities and air carriers must acquire aircraft that meet broad accessibility standards. (3) The ACAA must be updated to improve access to air transportation for individuals with disabilities. Legislation is necessary for the modernization of standards and requirements that will strengthen accessibility in air transportation, including the accessibility of aircraft. (4) The Department of Transportation and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (in this section referred to as the Access Board (A) prompt and effective boarding, deplaning, and connections between flights; (B) accommodations, including nonstandard accommodations, that safely facilitate air travel; and (C) better access to airport facilities, including the provision of visually and tactilely accessible announcements and full and equal access to aural communications. (5) Legislation is necessary to ensure that individuals with disabilities have adequate remedies available when air carriers violate the ACAA (including regulations prescribed under the ACAA). (6) Unlike other civil rights statutes, the ACAA does not contain a private right of action, which is critical to the enforcement of civil rights statutes. Legislation is necessary to correct this anomaly. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Access Board The term Access Board (2) Air carrier The term air carrier (3) Disability The term disability 42 U.S.C. 12102 Public Law 110–325 (4) Secretary The term Secretary 4. Improving access to air transportation for individuals with disabilities (a) In general Section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 41705. Accessibility of air transportation for individuals with disabilities (a) In general In providing air transportation, an air carrier may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of a disability, including by taking any of the actions prohibited under subsection (b) or not taking any of the actions required by subsection (c). (b) Prohibited actions (1) In general An air carrier may not— (A) directly or through a contractual, licensing, or other arrangement, discriminate in the full and equal enjoyment (within the meaning of that term under section 302(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12182(a) (B) deny the opportunity of an individual or a class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class, to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities provided by the air carrier; (C) afford an individual or a class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class, with the opportunity to participate in or benefit from a good, service, facility, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity that is not equal to a good, service, facility, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity afforded to other individuals; (D) subject to paragraph (2), provide an individual or a class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class, with a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity that is different or separate from a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided to other individuals; (E) deny any goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities to an individual because of the known disability of another individual with whom the individual is known to have a relationship or association; (F) impose or apply eligibility criteria that screen out or have the effect of screening out individuals with disabilities or a class of individuals with disabilities from fully enjoying any good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided by the air carrier, unless the air carrier can demonstrate that such criteria are necessary for the provision of the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity; (G) directly or through a contractual, licensing, or other arrangement, use standards or criteria or methods of administration— (i) that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of disability; or (ii) that perpetuate the discrimination of others who are subject to common administrative control; (H) purchase or lease an aircraft that does not comply with this section and regulations prescribed under this section; or (I) refurbish an aircraft cabin in an aircraft manufactured before the date of the enactment of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 (2) Exception (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), an air carrier may provide an individual or a class of individuals, on the basis of a disability or disabilities of the individual or class, with a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity that is different or separate from the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided to other individuals if doing so is necessary to provide the individual or class of individuals with a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity that is as effective as the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided to other individuals. (B) Acceptance An individual or a class of individuals shall retain the authority to decide whether to accept or refuse a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity referred to in subparagraph (A). (C) Selection of goods, etc., provided to others If, in accordance with subparagraph (A), an air carrier provides to an individual or a class of individuals a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity that is different or separate from the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided to other individuals, the air carrier may not deny to an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity provided to such other individuals. (c) Required actions An air carrier shall— (1) afford goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, and other opportunities to an individual with a disability in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual; (2) make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures, when such modifications are necessary to afford goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities to individuals with disabilities, unless the air carrier can demonstrate that making such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities; (3) take such measures as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated, or otherwise treated differently from other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids or services, unless the air carrier can demonstrate that taking such measures would— (A) fundamentally alter the nature of a good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, accommodation, or other opportunity being offered; or (B) result in an undue burden to the air carrier; and (4) (A) remove architectural barriers to equal access by individuals with disabilities to goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities provided by the air carrier, and communication barriers to such access that are structural in nature, in facilities of the air carrier (whether owned or leased by the air carrier) that were constructed before or altered after the date of the enactment of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 (B) if the air carrier can demonstrate that the removal of a barrier described in subparagraph (A) is not readily achievable, make such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities available through alternative methods that are readily achievable. (d) Complaints (1) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that individuals with disabilities traveling in air transportation are able— (A) to file complaints with the Department of Transportation in response to disability-related discrimination prohibited under this section or regulations prescribed under this section; and (B) to receive assistance from the Department through a toll-free hotline telephone number or comparable electronic means of communication. (2) Notice to passengers with disabilities Each air carrier shall include on its publicly available Internet website, any related mobile device application, and online service— (A) the hotline telephone number established under section 42302 or the telephone number for the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation and the Department’s disability assistance hotline telephone number or a comparable electronic means of communication; (B) notice that a consumer can file a disability-related complaint with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division; (C) an active link to the Internet website of the Aviation Consumer Protection Division for a consumer to file a disability-related complaint; and (D) notice that the consumer can file a disability-related complaint with the air carrier and the process and any timelines for filing such a complaint. (3) Investigation of complaints (A) In general The Secretary shall— (i) investigate each complaint of a violation of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section; (ii) provide, in writing, to the individual that filed the complaint and the air carrier alleged to have violated this section or a regulation prescribed under this section, the determination of the Secretary with respect to— (I) whether the air carrier violated this section or a regulation prescribed under this section; (II) the facts underlying the complaint; and (III) any action the Secretary is taking in response to the complaint; and (iii) assess civil penalties under section 46301 for each violation of this section (with each individual act of discrimination prohibited under subsection (a), (b), or (c) considered a separate violation of this section). (B) Referral If the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that any air carrier or group of air carriers is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination under this section, or any person or group of persons has been discriminated against under this section and such discrimination raises an issue of general public importance, the Secretary shall, after the assessment of civil penalties, refer the matter to the Attorney General for further action. (C) Publication of data The Secretary shall publish disability-related complaint data in a manner comparable to other aviation consumer complaint data. (D) Review and report The Secretary shall regularly review all complaints received by air carriers alleging discrimination on the basis of disability and shall report annually to Congress on the disposition of such complaints. (e) Civil action (1) Aggrieved persons (A) In general Any person aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section may, during the 2-year period beginning on the date of the violation, bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States. (B) Available relief If a court finds in favor of the plaintiff in a civil action brought under subparagraph (A), the court may award to the plaintiff equitable and legal relief, including compensatory and punitive damages, and shall, in addition to any such relief, award reasonable attorney’s fees, reasonable expert fees, and cost of the action to the plaintiff. (C) Exhaustion of administrative remedies Any person aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section shall not be required to exhaust administrative remedies before bringing a civil action under subparagraph (A). (D) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to invalidate or limit other Federal or State laws affording to people with disabilities greater legal rights or protections than those granted by this section. (2) Enforcement by Attorney General (A) In general The Attorney General may bring a civil action on behalf of persons aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section in any appropriate district court of the United States. (B) Authority of court In a civil action under subparagraph (A), the court may— (i) grant any equitable relief that the court considers to be appropriate; (ii) award such other relief as the court considers to be appropriate, including monetary damages to persons aggrieved by the violation by an air carrier of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section, when requested by the Attorney General; and (iii) assess a civil penalty against the air carrier. (f) Rule of construction Nothing in this subchapter shall require an air carrier to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities if the individual poses a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Access Board The term Access Board (2) Air carrier The term air carrier (3) Disability The term disability 42 U.S.C. 12102 Public Law 110–325 (4) Readily achievable The term readily achievable (A) the nature and cost of the action needed; and (B) the overall financial resources of the air carrier. . (b) Technical assistance Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall ensure the availability and provision of appropriate technical assistance manuals to individuals and entities with rights or responsibilities under section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by subsection (c). (c) Clerical amendment The chapter analysis for chapter 417 41705. Accessibility of air transportation for individuals with disabilities. . 5. Standards (a) Aircraft with new or amended type certificates (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall, in consultation with the Secretary, prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards to ensure that aircraft with type certificates under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, issued or amended after the date the regulations are issued, and related boarding and deplaning equipment, are accessible, in terms of design for, transportation of, and communication to, individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs. (2) Covered aircraft, equipment, and features The standards issued under paragraph (1) shall address, at a minimum— (A) boarding and deplaning equipment, including ensuring that there is a route accessible for individuals with disabilities; (B) seating accommodations; (C) lavatories; (D) captioning and audio description of in-flight entertainment and captioning of any other aural communication; (E) individual video displays; (F) visually and tactilely accessible announcements; (G) adequate in-cabin stowage for assistive devices; and (H) proper stowage of assistive devices in the cargo hold to prevent damage. (b) Aircraft with an existing type certificate (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall, in consultation with the Secretary, prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure that barriers to the access of individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, on aircraft with type certificates issued under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, before such date of enactment, are removed to meet basic accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to the extent readily achievable. (2) Removal of barriers The standards issued under paragraph (1) shall apply at a minimum to stowage of wheelchairs in the cargo hold, captioning and audio description of in-flight entertainment and captioning of any other aural communication, visually and tactilely accessible announcements, individual video displays, and improved access to seating and lavatories in all aircraft. (c) Airport facilities Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall, in consultation with the Secretary, issue standards under section 41705 of title 49, United States Code (commonly known as the Air Carrier Access Act (d) Websites and kiosks Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall, in consultation with the Secretary, prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to access kiosks and websites in a manner that is equally as effective as individuals without disabilities, with a substantially equivalent ease of use. Such standards shall be consistent with the standards set forth in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA of the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium or any subsequent version. (e) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the Access Board issues standards under this section, the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to implement those standards, including the requirement to maintain accessible features of aircraft, equipment, and facilities.	Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021
Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Census Bureau to take certain actions with respect to poverty measures and data related to child poverty. It also requires the National Academy of Sciences to report annually on child poverty and study other issues, such as policies to reduce intergenerational poverty. Specifically, HHS must enter into an agreement with the Census Bureau to annually report an anchored supplemental poverty measure for individuals under the age of 18 and must otherwise collaborate with the bureau to, for example, correct income data to account for underreporting. Currently, the Census Bureau uses the official poverty measure (based on cash resources) and the supplemental poverty measure (based on both cash and certain noncash resources, such as nutrition assistance program benefits) to measure poverty. Anchoring the supplemental poverty measure fixes the poverty threshold at a given point in time and then adjusts it for inflation. HHS must publish resources on its website related to child poverty, and the Census Bureau must release certain economic and survey data at the same time it releases a specific report related to income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States.	117 S643 IS: Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 643 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Casey Ms. Baldwin Mr. Brown Committee on Finance A BILL To reduce child poverty in the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021 2. Child poverty goal and accountability Title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 C Child poverty accountability measure 441. National goal to cut child poverty by half (a) Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States to reduce the number of children living in poverty in the United States by half in 10 years. (b) Sense of the Congress It is the sense of the Congress that an effort to reach the goal described in subsection (a) shall include reducing the number of children in deep poverty as well as reducing child poverty among racial or ethnic groups with disparate poverty rates. 442. Establishment of annual reporting (a) Anchored supplemental poverty measure The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Bureau of the Census to report an anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure for individuals who have not attained 18 years of age, annually beginning with calendar year 2021. Beginning with the report for calendar year 2022, the report shall be based on poverty thresholds which are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers (as published by the Department of Labor). This subsection shall not be interpreted to require or authorize the replacement of any other calculation or measure reported by the Bureau of the Census. (b) Timing of release of Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement microdata The Bureau of the Census shall release the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement microdata for each year as a single file containing the anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure and any other poverty rates the Bureau of the Census reports. The file shall be released at the same time as the Bureau of the Census report on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States. That report, or companion reports, should include poverty statistics and thresholds for the anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure and any other measures the Bureau of the Census reports. (c) Reporting in relation to the territories (1) In general The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Bureau of the Census to develop data to report an anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure for Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, as part of the annual report required by subsection (a), not later than the close of fiscal year 2023. (2) Report required if compliance is not feasible If the Secretary determines that it will not be feasible to comply with all or part of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Congress, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, a report that explains what is not feasible, why it is not feasible, and includes details on what, if anything, would be needed to enable such compliance and by what date compliance could be achieved. (3) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary a total of not more than $2,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2023. (d) Improving income data for use in annual reporting (1) In general The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Bureau of the Census to develop income data with corrections for under-reporting of income data for calculating an anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure as part of the annual report required by subsection (a), not later than the close of fiscal year 2023. (2) Report required if compliance is not feasible If the Secretary determines that it will not be feasible to comply with all or part of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Congress, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, a report that explains what is not feasible, why it is not feasible, and includes details on what, if anything, would be needed to enable such compliance and by what date compliance could be achieved. 443. Child poverty reports (a) Annual reports on the effect of Federal policies on child poverty in the United States Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to submit to the Congress annual reports providing an evidence-based, non-partisan analysis of how Federal policies or programs have contributed to meeting the goal set forth in section 441(a), based on their effect on the anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure for children as reported by the Bureau of the Census pursuant to section 442. (b) Contents of reports (1) In general Each such report— (A) shall analyze how, and the extent to which, Federal policies and programs contribute to meeting the goal referred to in subsection (a) of this section; (B) shall take into account the number of children in deep poverty and child poverty among racial or ethnic groups with disparate poverty rates; (C) shall attempt to ascertain whether each studied policy or program reduces or increases the number of children living in poverty, why the policy or program does so, and the extent to which the policy or program does so; and (D) shall include, to the extent feasible, projections on how such policies or programs would affect the number of children living in poverty in future years, which shall be made on the basis of previously released Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement data, and adjusted periodically as new estimates from the Bureau of the Census become available. (2) Data corrections Where feasible, each such report shall correct the underlying Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement data, for under-reporting of income and in-kind benefits and shall include estimates using both uncorrected and corrected income data. Because available information with which to produce corrected income data is currently limited and not timely, each such report shall indicate the year to which the corrected income data pertain and other limitations of the data. As soon as corrected income data from the Census Bureau become available under section 442(d), each such report shall use those data. (c) Feasibility review of State and local evidence-Based policies The 1st report under subsection (a) shall include a review of the feasibility of including consideration of State and local evidence-based policies or programs in subsequent such reports, and if the review determines that including the consideration is feasible, then each such report shall include an analysis of the additional policies. (d) Timing Each report for a year under subsection (a) shall be made after the report of the United States Census Bureau on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States for the year is released, and— (1) in the case of the 1st such report, before the beginning of the 1st calendar year that begins more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section; or (2) in the case of each subsequent such report, before the end of the year. (e) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated not more than— (1) $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2021; and (2) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2030. 444. Child poverty reduction strategy clearinghouse The Secretary shall establish, and annually update, on a website of the Department of Health and Human Services, an online collection of resources related to the national child poverty reduction goal established in section 441 of this Act, including— (1) the anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure published under section 442 of this Act; (2) the reports required by section 443 of this Act; (3) the report required by section 3 of the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021 (4) the report required by section 4 of the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021 (5) links to other relevant Federal reports, analyses, evaluations, and resources related to child poverty as determined by the Secretary. 445. Definitions In this part: (1) Anchored The term anchored (2) Poverty The term poverty (3) Deep poverty The term deep poverty . 3. Update of A Roadmap to Reduce Child Poverty (a) In general Within 36 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to revise and update the National Academies report entitled A Roadmap to Reduce Child Poverty (b) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,200,000. 4. Report on reducing long-term, intergenerational child poverty (a) In general Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to publish, within 36 months after the date of entry into the agreement, a report on evidence-based policies to reduce long-term, intergenerational child poverty, which report shall build on the National Academies report entitled A Roadmap to Reduce Child Poverty (b) Limitations on authorization of appropriations To carry out subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,200,000.	Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2021
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021 This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency. In addition, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation must test a new delivery and payment model for rural hospitals that promotes financially sustainable access to care and must establish a corresponding transition process for CAHs.	117 S644 IS: Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 644 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Durbin Mr. Lankford Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to restore State authority to waive for certain facilities the 35-mile rule for designating critical access hospitals under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021 2. Restoring State authority to waive the 35-mile rule for certain Medicare critical access hospital designations (a) In general Section 1820 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i–4 (1) in subsection (c)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (B)(i)— (i) in subclause (I), by striking at the end or (ii) in subclause (II), by inserting at the end or (iii) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (III) subject to subparagraph (G), is a hospital described in subparagraph (F) and is certified on or after the date of the enactment of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021 ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: (F) Hospital described For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i)(III), a hospital described in this subparagraph is a hospital that— (i) is a sole community hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iii)), a medicare dependent, small rural hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(G)(iv)), a low-volume hospital that in 2021 receives a payment adjustment under section 1886(d)(12), a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B)) that has fewer than 50 beds, or, subject to the limitation under subparagraph (G)(i)(I), is a facility described in subparagraph (G)(ii); (ii) is located in a rural area, as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D); (iii) (I) is located— (aa) in a county that has a percentage of individuals with income that is below 150 percent of the poverty line that is higher than the national or statewide average in 2020; or (bb) in a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act); or (II) has a percentage of inpatient days of individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this title, enrolled under part B of this title, or enrolled under a State plan under title XIX that is higher than the national or statewide average in 2019 or 2020; (iv) subject to subparagraph (G)(ii)(II), has attested to the Secretary two consecutive years of negative operating margins preceding the date of certification described in subparagraph (B)(i)(III); and (v) submits to the Secretary— (I) at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, an attestation outlining the good governance qualifications and strategic plan for multi-year financial solvency of the hospital; and (II) not later than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary issues final regulations pursuant to section 2(b) of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021 (G) Limitation on certain designations (i) In general The Secretary may not under subsection (e) certify pursuant to a certification by a State under subparagraph (B)(i)(III)— (I) more than a total of 175 facilities as critical access hospitals, of which not more than 20 percent may be facilities described in clause (ii); and (II) within any one State, more than 10 facilities as critical access hospitals. (ii) Facility described (I) In general A facility described in this clause is a facility that as of the date of enactment of this subparagraph met the criteria for designation as a critical access hospital under subparagraph (B)(i)(I). (II) Nonapplication of certain criteria For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i)(III), the criteria described in subparagraph (F)(iv) shall not apply with respect to the designation of a facility described in subclause (I). ; and (2) in subsection (e), by inserting , subject to subsection (c)(2)(G), The Secretary shall (b) Regulations Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue final regulations to carry out this section. (c) Clarification regarding facilities that meet distance or other certification criteria Nothing in this section shall affect the application of criteria for designation as a critical access hospital described in subclause (I) or (II) section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i–4(c)(2)(B)(i) 3. CMI testing of new rural hospital delivery and payment model Section 1115A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a (1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the following new sentence: “The models selected under this subparagraph shall include the testing of a new rural hospital delivery and payment model (or models), as described in subsection (h).”; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Testing of new rural hospital delivery and payment model (1) In general (A) Testing The Secretary shall test the implementation of a new rural hospital delivery and payment model (or models) that the Secretary determines would promote financially sustainable ways to ensure patient access to care in rural communities, which may include models under which such hospitals furnish outpatient emergency care services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for which payment is made under title XVIII based on the amount determined under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services under section 1833(t), plus a fixed rate for the cost of furnishing the emergency services. (B) Promulgation of regulations Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to test a new rural hospital delivery and payment model (or models) described in subparagraph (A), unless Congress enacts legislation that establishes such a payment model (or models) prior to the promulgation of regulations pursuant to this subparagraph. (2) Transition Effective beginning on the date on which the testing of a new rural hospital delivery and payment model (or models) described in paragraph (1)(A) is implemented under this subsection or such a payment model (or models) is established through the enactment of legislation described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall provide a process under which— (A) all critical access hospitals may transition to such new model or models under this subsection; and (B) any facility that was designated as a critical access hospital pursuant to a certification by a State under section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i)(III) may revert to the prospective payment model (or models) under which the facility received payment under title XVIII prior to being so designated. .	Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2021
Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to estimate annual methane emissions from each oil and natural gas producing basin and levy a fee for such emissions on each company that produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas. The fees must be used to provide grants through the National Coastal Resilience Fund of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.	117 S645 IS: Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 645 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Whitehouse Mr. Booker Mr. Schatz Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To require the Secretary of the Treasury to levy a fee on methane emissions from oil and natural gas facilities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) methane is a potent heat-trapping gas that absorbs 28 to 36 times the quantity of energy that carbon dioxide absorbs over a 100-year period; (2) increased methane concentrations in the atmosphere are responsible for approximately 25 percent of observed global warming; (3) approximately 1/3 (4) recent estimates suggest that methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations in the United States are 60 percent higher than previously believed, representing 2.3 percent of natural gas production; (5) methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations in the United States represent approximately $2,000,000,000 in lost natural gas that could be used to fuel 10,000,000 homes; (6) estimates from the International Energy Agency suggest that 1/2 (7) some oil and natural gas companies have announced plans to reduce methane emissions from the operations of those companies to below 0.2 percent of production, demonstrating that significant reductions in methane emissions are technically and economically feasible; and (8) numerous companies in the United States are developing innovative technologies to allow oil and natural gas companies to more cost-effectively detect and reduce methane emissions. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Basin The term basin (2) Empirically determined The term empirically determined (3) Methane The term methane 4 (4) Methane emission The term methane emission (A) oil; or (B) natural gas. (5) Methane fee factor The term methane fee factor (6) Natural gas The term natural gas 33 U.S.C. 1502 (7) Oil The term oil 33 U.S.C. 1502 (8) Percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere The term percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere (A) for companies that use the fee calculated under section 4(b)(2)(B)(i), the percentage determined for the basin under the program established under section 4(a); and (B) for companies that use the fee calculated under clause (iii) of section 4(b)(2)(C), the quotient obtained by dividing— (i) the methane emissions in the basin during the applicable calendar year, as determined by the company using a protocol validated by the Secretary under clause (ii) of that section; by (ii) the total quantity of natural gas produced, gathered, processed, transmitted, or released and lost to the atmosphere by the company in the basin during the applicable calendar year, as determined by the company using a protocol validated by the Secretary under clause (ii) of that section. (9) Secretary The term Secretary 4. Fee on methane emissions (a) Estimate of methane emissions Not later than December 31, 2022, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish and implement a program to estimate, based on empirically determined, peer-reviewed methane emission rates, annual methane emissions, and methane emission rates (expressed in percentage of natural gas production), from each oil and natural gas producing basin. (b) Fee (1) In general For calendar year 2023 and each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall levy a fee on methane emissions on each company that produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas. (2) Amount (A) In general The fee under paragraph (1) shall be calculated in accordance with subparagraph (B) or (C), as applicable. (B) Proportional fee calculation (i) In general Subject to subparagraph (C), the fee under paragraph (1) for a basin in which a company produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas for a calendar year shall be the sum obtained by adding— (I) the product obtained by multiplying— (aa) the difference between— (AA) the percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere in the basin during the calendar year; and (BB) 0.2 percent; (bb) the total quantity of natural gas produced or released and lost to the atmosphere during oil or natural gas production by the company in the basin during the calendar year; and (cc) the methane fee factor for the applicable calendar year; and (II) the product obtained by multiplying— (aa) the difference between— (AA) the percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere in the basin during the calendar year; and (BB) 0.1 percent; (bb) the total quantity of natural gas gathered, processed, or transmitted by the company in the basin during the calendar year; and (cc) the methane fee factor for the applicable calendar year. (ii) Requirement The fee calculated under clause (i) for a company shall be determined on a basin-by-basin basis for each basin in which the company produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas. (C) Alternative fee calculation (i) Opt out A company may opt out of the fee calculated under subparagraph (B) if— (I) the company submits to the Secretary a peer-reviewed protocol for empirically determining, on a basin-by-basin basis for all basins, the total amount of methane emissions that result from oil and natural gas facilities— (aa) that the company operates; or (bb) in which the company has an ownership interest; and (II) the Secretary validates the protocol in accordance with clause (ii). (ii) Validation (I) In general The Secretary may validate a protocol submitted under clause (i)(I) if— (aa) the Secretary determines that the protocol is an accurate and comprehensive empirical method for calculating the methane emissions of the company submitting the protocol; (bb) the protocol— (AA) is peer-reviewed by independent scientists; (BB) is available to the public in its entirety; and (CC) requires the regular collection of data; (cc) all underlying data collected under the protocol are available to the public; and (dd) the Secretary determines that— (AA) to the maximum extent practicable, the company has installed state-of-the-art technologies to detect and eliminate methane leaks from all oil and natural gas facilities the company owns or operates; and (BB) subject to subclause (III), the company has prohibited the venting and flaring of methane, except in emergency circumstances. (II) Timeline A protocol described in clause (i)(I) shall be submitted to the Secretary for validation under subclause (I) not later than June 30 of the calendar year before the calendar year for which the company is seeking to opt out of the fee calculated under subparagraph (B). (III) Emergency circumstances An emergency circumstance for which the venting or flaring of methane is authorized under subclause (I)(dd)(BB) does not include— (aa) venting or flaring of methane from oil wells because the company has failed to develop the infrastructure necessary to capture, process, and transmit methane associated with oil production; or (bb) any claim of economic necessity. (iii) Calculation For a company that has opted out of the fee calculated under subparagraph (B) in accordance with clause (i), the fee under paragraph (1) for a basin in which the company produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas for a calendar year shall be the sum obtained by adding— (I) the product obtained by multiplying— (aa) the difference between— (AA) the percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere in the basin during the calendar year; and (BB) 0.2 percent; (bb) the total quantity of natural gas produced or released and lost to the atmosphere during oil or natural gas production by the company in the basin during the calendar year; and (cc) the methane fee factor for the applicable calendar year; and (II) the product obtained by multiplying— (aa) the difference between— (AA) the percentage of volume lost to the atmosphere in the basin during the calendar year; and (BB) 0.1 percent; (bb) the total quantity of natural gas gathered, processed, or transmitted by the company in the basin during the calendar year; and (cc) the methane fee factor for the applicable calendar year. (iv) Requirement The fee calculated under clause (iii) for a company that opted out of a fee calculated under subparagraph (B) shall be determined on a basin-by-basin basis for each basin in which the company produces, gathers, processes, or transmits oil or natural gas. (D) Methane fee factor (i) Initial cost For calendar year 2023, the methane fee factor shall be $1,800 per ton. (ii) Annual adjustment For each calendar year after 2023, the methane fee factor shall be adjusted to an amount that is equal to the product obtained by multiplying— (I) the methane fee factor for the preceding calendar year; and (II) the percentage obtained by adding— (aa) 102 percent; and (bb) the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year. (3) Timing Not later than July 1 of each year, the Secretary shall calculate and levy the fee under paragraph (1) for the preceding calendar year. (4) National Coastal Resilience Fund Notwithstanding section 10(b)(2) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3709(b)(2) 5. Savings Nothing in this Act— (1) affects the ability to regulate methane emissions under any other provision of law; or (2) preempts a State from regulating or assessing a fee on methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.	Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2021
Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021 This bill requires the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and state Medicaid programs to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for eligible individuals. The bill also establishes bonus payments for states that implement certain Medicaid enrollment and retention policies for specified categories of individuals (e.g., children), such as aligning income eligibility standards with those of other insurance affordability programs.	117 S646 IS: Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-04-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 646 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Mr. Brown Ms. Baldwin Ms. Warren Mr. Whitehouse Committee on Finance A BILL To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for 12-month continuous enrollment under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Every year millions of people are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (in this section referred to as CHIP (2) Data show that the typical enrollee receives Medicaid coverage for about ¾ of the year and that coverage periods are lower for non-elderly, non-disabled adults than for those with disabilities, seniors, and children. (3) Medicaid enrollees with coverage disruption are more likely to be hospitalized for illnesses, like asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, that can be effectively managed through ongoing primary medical care and medication, are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, and may have poorer cancer outcomes. (4) Children enrolled in CHIP also experience disruptions in health coverage and care. For example, during just a 1-year period, over 1/3 (5) Interruptions in coverage can impair the receipt of effective primary care and lead to expensive hospitalizations or emergency room visits. (6) Unnecessary enrollment, disenrollment, and reenrollment in Medicaid and CHIP result in higher administrative expenses for reenrollment and result in more people uninsured at any given time. (7) Stable coverage under Medicaid and CHIP lowers average monthly medical costs. Continuous enrollment also permits better prevention and disease management, leading to fewer serious illnesses and hospitalizations. (8) Children with stable coverage are less likely to have unmet medical needs, allowing children to receive the preventive care that is necessary to help them grow into healthy adults. 3. 12-month continuous enrollment (a) Requirement of 12-Month continuous enrollment under medicaid (1) In general Section 1902(e)(12) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e) (12) 12-month continuous enrollment (A) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a State plan approved under this title or under any waiver of such plan approved pursuant to section 1115 or section 1915, shall provide that an individual who is determined to be eligible for benefits under such plan (or waiver) shall be considered to meet the eligibility requirements met on the date of application and shall remain eligible and enrolled for such benefits through the end of the month in which the 12-month period (beginning on the date of determination of eligibility) ends. (B) Promoting retention of eligible and enrolled persons beyond 12 months The Secretary shall— (i) identify methods that promote the retention of individuals who are enrolled under the State plan or under a waiver of such plan and who remain eligible for medical assistance beyond the 12-month period described in subparagraph (A); and (ii) actively promote the adoption of such enrollment retention methods by States, which shall include, but not be limited to, issuing guidance and developing resources on State best practices. (C) Enrollment and retention reporting (i) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021 (ii) State reporting requirements At a minimum, the reporting procedures published under clause (i) shall include a description of State eligibility criteria and enrollment procedures under this title and data regarding enrollment and retention using standardized reporting formats determined by the Secretary. (iii) Secretary report and publication (I) In general The Secretary annually shall publish enrollment and retention performance results for all States not later than 6 months after the deadline for each annual State enrollment and retention reporting period. (II) Estimated enrollment continuity ratios Each annual report published by the Secretary under subclause (I) shall include estimates of Medicaid enrollment continuity ratios for each State in accordance with the requirements of subclause (III). (III) Requirements The Secretary shall develop both overall enrollment continuity ratios for all enrollees and separate enrollment continuity ratios for each of the following categories: (aa) Children. (bb) Individuals whose eligibility category is related to having attained age 65. (cc) Individuals whose eligibility category is related to disability or blindness. (dd) Individuals whose eligibility category is related to their status as parents and caretaker relatives of children under 19 or who are otherwise not elderly, blind or disabled adults. . (b) Requirement of 12-Month continuous enrollment under CHIP (1) In general Section 2102(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b) (6) Requirement for 12-month continuous enrollment Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a State child health plan that provides child health assistance under this title through a means other than that described in section 2101(a)(2), shall provide that an individual who is determined to be eligible for benefits under such plan shall be considered to meet the eligibility requirements met on the date of application and shall remain eligible and enrolled for such benefits through the end of the month in which the 12-month period (beginning on the date of determination of eligibility) ends. . (2) Conforming amendments (A) Enrollment and retention provisions Section 2105(a)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397ee(a)(4)(A) (i) by striking has elected the option of is in compliance with the requirement for (ii) by striking applying such policy under its State child health plan under this title in compliance with section 2102(b) (B) Application of medicaid retention and reporting requirements Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1) (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) through (S) as subparagraphs (I) through (T), respectively; and (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (G), the following: (H) Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1902(e)(12) (relating to promotion of enrollment beyond 12 months and reporting requirements)(without regard to items (bb), (cc), and (dd) of subparagraph (C)(iii)(III) of that section). . (c) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to determinations (and redeterminations) of eligibility made on or after the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Extension of effective date for state law amendment In the case of a State plan under title XIX or State child health plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 42 U.S.C. 1397aa (3) Option to implement 12-month continuous eligibility prior to effective date A State may elect through a State plan amendment under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 42 U.S.C. 1397aa 4. Preventing the application under chip of coverage waiting periods (a) In general Section 2102(b)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b)(1)(B) (1) in clause (iii)— (A) by striking in the case of in the case of a targeted low-income child (including a child provided dental-only supplemental coverage under section 2110(b)(5)) or in the case of (B) by adding and (2) by striking clause (iv); and (3) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (iv). (b) Conforming amendments Section 2105(c)(10) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1397ee(c)(10) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 5. Medicaid performance bonuses for enrollment and retention improvements for certain individuals Section 1903 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b (cc) Performance bonuses for enrollment and retention of low-Income individuals (1) In general A State may qualify for performance bonuses related to the enrollment and retention of individuals (including children) described in section 1902(e)(12)(C)(iii)(III). For purposes of this paragraph, a State meets the condition of this paragraph for such individuals if, for each category of individuals specified in section 1902(e)(12)(C)(iii)(III), the State is implementing at least 3 of the following enrollment and retention provisions (treating each subparagraph as a separate enrollment and retention provision) throughout the entire fiscal year: (A) Aligning treatment of income under medicaid with that of other insurance affordability programs The State implements policies, including prorating income over annual periods, so as to align its treatment of income for purposes of a determination of eligibility for medical assistance with that of other affordability insurance programs with the goal of eliminating inconsistent determinations among these programs. (B) Maintaining coverage for individuals during periods of transition The State implements the following policies: (i) In general Upon determination that an individual is no longer eligible for medical assistance, the State implements policies to maintain eligibility for medical assistance, including enrollment in the managed care organization in which the individual was enrolled at the time of the determination of ineligibility, during the period of time in which— (I) eligibility-related information is transmitted to the other insurance affordability programs; (II) a determination is made as to for which other insurance affordability program the individual is eligible, if any; and (III) coverage in such program and any related managed care organization becomes effective. (ii) Managed care organization continuity The State implements policies to enroll the individual in the managed care organization in which the individual was a member prior to the loss of medical assistance eligibility, if such managed care organization participates in the other insurance affordability program, unless the individual voluntarily selects a separate managed care organization. (C) Enhanced data-sharing between the state and an american health benefit exchange and agencies The State utilizes findings from an American Health Benefit Exchange, an Express Lane Agency (as identified by the State and as described in section 1902(e)(13)(F)), the Social Security Administration, or other agencies administering employment, educational, or social services programs as identified by the State, to document income, residency, age, or other relevant information in determining or renewing eligibility. (D) Eligibility based on pending status The State maintains eligibility for enrollees whose renewal status has not yet been determined and for whom eligibility based on alternative eligibility criteria has not yet been ruled out. (E) Default reenrollment in managed care organization In the case of individuals who are determined to be eligible for medical assistance under this title after the loss of eligibility for fewer than 6 months, and who previously had been members of a managed care organization, the State re-enrolls the individual in the managed care organization in which the individual was a member prior to the loss of eligibility, unless the individual voluntarily selects a separate managed care organization. (2) Performance bonus payment to support 12-month continuous enrollment for medicaid enrollees (A) Authority to make bonus payments (i) In general The Secretary shall make a bonus payment for fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins on or after the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021 (ii) Regulations Payments to States under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be allocated annually among eligible States in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary not later than the date that is 6 months prior to October 1 of the first fiscal year for which payments are made under this paragraph. (iii) Timing A payment to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be made as a single payment not later than the last day of the first calendar quarter of the succeeding fiscal year. (B) State eligibility for bonus payments A State shall be eligible for bonus payments under this subsection if— (i) the State has adopted at least 3 of the 5 policies described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1) for each category of individuals specified in section 1902(e)(12)(C)(iii)(III); and (ii) the State is able to demonstrate improvement in the continuity of enrollment by child, aged, blind, and disabled, and adult populations, compared to the State’s baseline performance with respect to continuity of enrollment for such populations in fiscal year 2021 or such later year as the Secretary, by regulation, shall specify. (3) Amounts available for payments (A) In general The total amount of bonus payments made under this subsection for all fiscal years shall be equal to $500,000,000, to be available until expended. (B) Budget authority This paragraph constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Secretary to provide for the payment of amounts provided under this paragraph. (4) Uses of enrollment and retention performance bonuses Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a State from establishing criteria which would permit the State to distribute a portion of the proceeds of any bonus payments received pursuant to this subsection to financially support providers and managed care entities participating under the State plan or under a waiver of such plan who have contributed to improved enrollment and retention activities. .	Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2021
Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021 This bill authorizes deposit of specified interest payments into the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund. This fund was established in 2009 under the water rights settlement agreement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation.	117 S648 IS: Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 648 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Cortez Masto Mr. Crapo Mr. Risch Ms. Rosen Committee on Indian Affairs A BILL To amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make a technical correction to the water rights settlement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021 2. Authorization of payment of interest on trust funds established under settlement Section 10807 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–11 (1) in subsection (b)(3)— (A) by striking There is (A) In general There is ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (B) Interest payments There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for deposit into the Development Fund the interest that would have accrued during the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on January 25, 2016, on balances held in the Development Fund, as calculated using the applicable rate for interest-bearing obligations of the United States if the amounts in the Development Fund had been invested in accordance with— (i) the Act of April 1, 1880 (21 Stat. 70, chapter 41; 25 U.S.C. 161 (ii) the first section of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1037, chapter 648; 25 U.S.C. 162a ; and (2) in subsection (c)(3)— (A) by striking There is (A) In general There is ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (B) Interest payments There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for deposit into the Maintenance Fund the interest that would have accrued during the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on January 25, 2016, on balances held in the Maintenance Fund, as calculated using the applicable rate for interest-bearing obligations of the United States if the amounts in the Maintenance Fund had been invested in accordance with— (i) the Act of April 1, 1880 (21 Stat. 70, chapter 41; 25 U.S.C. 161 (ii) the first section of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1037, chapter 648; 25 U.S.C. 162a .	Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021
American Dream Employment Act of 2021 This bill permits the compensation of congressional employees who hold a current employment authorization document that was issued pursuant to a grant of (1) deferred action, including under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program; (2) deferred enforced departure; or (3) temporary protected status. (Generally, these programs and statuses allow eligible aliens to remain and work in the United States.)	117 S650 IS: American Dream Employment Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 650 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2021 Ms. Cortez Masto Mr. Durbin Ms. Warren Mr. Markey Mr. Blumenthal Mr. Van Hollen Ms. Smith Mr. Padilla Mr. Merkley Mr. Booker Ms. Rosen Mrs. Murray Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Menendez Mr. Wyden Mrs. Gillibrand Mr. Warner Mr. Sanders Ms. Klobuchar Committee on Appropriations A BILL To enable the payment of certain officers and employees of the United States whose employment is authorized pursuant to a grant of deferred action, deferred enforced departure, or temporary protected status. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Dream Employment Act of 2021 2. Certain Federal employees who are beneficiaries of deferred action, deferred enforced departure, or temporary protected status authorized to be paid Section 704 of title VII of division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 (1) by striking eligible; or eligible; (2) by striking allegiance to the United States: allegiance to the United States; or (5) is a person who is employed by the House of Representatives or the Senate, and holds a current employment authorization document that was issued pursuant to a grant of deferred action, including under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program of the Secretary of Homeland Security, established pursuant to the memorandum from the Secretary of Homeland Security entitled Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children 8 U.S.C. 1254a	American Dream Employment Act of 2021
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill extends through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in North Carolina and removes the limitation on the total amount that may be appropriated for the heritage area.	117 S654 IS: Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 654 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Mr. Burr Mr. Tillis Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To reauthorize the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2021 2. Reauthorization of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Act of 2003 ( 54 U.S.C. 320101 Public Law 108–108 (1) in subsection (i)— (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each fiscal year. ; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subsection (a) paragraph (1) (2) in subsection (j), by striking 2021 2036	Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2021
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits the federal government, states, tribal nations, or localities from discriminating or taking adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that declines to provide adoption or foster care services based on race, color, or national origin. The Department of Health and Human Services must withhold a portion of federal funding for family services and child welfare activities from a government entity that discriminates against a child welfare provider in violation of this bill. Child welfare providers may also sue the government entity for such discrimination. A prevailing provider may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Furthermore, government entities that accept certain federal funding for family services and child welfare activities must waive sovereign immunity as a defense to lawsuits brought under this bill. (In many cases, sovereign immunity shields states, territories, tribal nations, and some localities against private suits.)	117 S656 IS: Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 656 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Mr. Scott of South Carolina Mr. Tillis Mr. Cotton Mrs. Hyde-Smith Mr. Hawley Mr. Cramer Mr. Risch Mr. Braun Mr. Sasse Mr. Blunt Mr. Lankford Mr. Lee Mr. Cruz Ms. Ernst Mr. Daines Mr. Wicker Mr. Hagerty Mr. Cornyn Mr. Inhofe Mr. Scott of Florida Mrs. Blackburn Mr. Cassidy Mr. Kennedy Committee on Finance A BILL To ensure that organizations with religious or moral convictions are allowed to continue to provide services for children. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Child welfare service providers, both individuals and organizations, have the inherent, fundamental, and inalienable right to free exercise of religion protected by the United States Constitution. (2) The right to free exercise of religion for child welfare service providers includes the freedom to refrain from conduct that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. (3) Most States provide government-funded child welfare services through various charitable, religious, and private organizations. (4) Religious organizations, in particular, have a lengthy and distinguished history of providing child welfare services that predates government involvement. (5) Religious organizations have long been and should continue contracting with and receiving grants from governmental entities to provide child welfare services. (6) Religious organizations cannot provide certain child welfare services, such as foster-care or adoption placements, without receiving a government contract, grant or license. (7) Religious organizations display particular excellence when providing child welfare services. (8) Children and families benefit greatly from the child welfare services provided by religious organizations. (9) Governmental entities and officials administering federally funded child welfare services in some States, including Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and the District of Columbia, have refused to contract with religious organizations that are unable, due to sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions, to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with those beliefs or convictions; and that refusal has forced many religious organizations to end their long and distinguished history of excellence in the provision of child welfare services. (10) Ensuring that religious organizations can continue to provide child welfare services will benefit the children and families that receive those federally funded services. (11) States also provide government-funded child welfare services through individual child welfare service providers with varying religious and moral convictions. (12) Many individual child welfare service providers maintain sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions that relate to their work and should not be forced to choose between their livelihood and adherence to those beliefs or convictions. (13) Because governmental entities provide child welfare services through many charitable, religious, and private organizations, each with varying religious beliefs or moral convictions, and through diverse individuals with varying religious beliefs or moral convictions, the religiously impelled inability of some religious organizations or individuals to provide certain services will not have a material effect on a person’s ability to access federally funded child welfare services. (14) The provisions of this Act are remedial measures that are congruent and proportional to protecting the constitutional rights of child welfare service providers guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. (15) Congress has the authority to pass this Act pursuant to its spending clause power and enforcement power under section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are as follows: (1) To prohibit governmental entities from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider on the basis that the provider declines to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with the sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions of the provider. (2) To protect child welfare service providers’ exercise of religion and to ensure that governmental entities will not be able to force those providers, either directly or indirectly, to discontinue all or some of their child welfare services because they decline to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. (3) To provide relief to child welfare service providers whose rights have been violated. 3. Discrimination and adverse actions prohibited (a) In general The Federal Government, and any State that receives Federal funding for any program that provides child welfare services under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 (b) Limitation Subsection (a) does not apply to conduct forbidden by paragraph (18) of section 471(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 671(a)(18) 4. Funds withheld for violation The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall withhold from a State 15 percent of the Federal funds the State receives for a program that provides child welfare services under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 5. Private right of action (a) In general A child welfare service provider aggrieved by a violation of section 3 may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain all appropriate relief, including declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages, with respect to that violation. (b) Attorneys' fees and costs A child welfare service provider that prevails in an action by establishing a violation of section 3 is entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. (c) Waiver of sovereign immunity By accepting or expending Federal funds in connection with a program that provides child welfare services under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 6. Severability If any provision of this Act, or any application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the application of the provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected. 7. Effective date (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, and the withholding of funds authorized by section 4 shall apply to payments under parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 (b) Exception If legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required for a governmental entity to bring itself into compliance with this Act, the governmental entity shall not be regarded as violating this Act before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the 1st regular session of the legislative body that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the governmental entity has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session. 8. Definitions In this Act: (1) Child welfare service provider The term child welfare service provider (2) Child welfare services The term child welfare services (3) State The term State 42 U.S.C. 679c (4) Funding; funded; funds The terms funding funded funds (5) Adverse action The term adverse action	Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021 This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work with one or more consortia composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security.	117 S658 ES: National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021 U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 658 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021 2. Definitions In this Act— (1) the term consortium (2) the terms cybersecurity risk incident 6 U.S.C. 659(a) (3) the term Department (4) the term Secretary 3. National cybersecurity preparedness consortium (a) In general The Secretary may work with a consortium to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents. (b) Assistance to the NCCIC The Secretary may work with a consortium to assist the national cybersecurity and communications integration center of the Department (established under section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 659 (1) provide training to State and local first responders and officials specifically for preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, in accordance with applicable law; (2) develop and update a curriculum utilizing existing programs and models in accordance with such section 2209, for State and local first responders and officials, related to cybersecurity risks and incidents; (3) provide technical assistance services to build and sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with such section 2209; (4) conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises for entities, including State and local governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private industry, to encourage community-wide coordination in defending against and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, in accordance with section 2210(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 660(c) (5) help States and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs, in accordance with section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 659 (6) help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into existing State and local emergency plans, including continuity of operations plans. (c) Considerations regarding selection of a consortium In selecting a consortium with which to work under this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following: (1) Any prior experience conducting cybersecurity training and exercises for State and local entities. (2) Geographic diversity of the members of any such consortium so as to cover different regions throughout the United States. (d) Metrics If the Secretary works with a consortium under subsection (a), the Secretary shall measure the effectiveness of the activities undertaken by the consortium under this Act. (e) Outreach The Secretary shall conduct outreach to universities and colleges, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, regarding opportunities to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, by working with the Secretary under subsection (a). 4. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize a consortium to control or direct any law enforcement agency in the exercise of the duties of the law enforcement agency. Passed the Senate July 15, 2021. Secretary	National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021
South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 This bill addresses harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the South Florida ecosystem. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia must assess potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the ecosystem. The task force must also submit a plan, based on the assessment, for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the region.	117 S66 IS: South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-01-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 66 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 27, 2021 Mr. Rubio Mr. Scott of Florida Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to develop a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in South Florida, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 2. South Florida harmful algal blooms and hypoxia assessment and action plan (a) In general The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 ( Public Law 105–383 33 U.S.C. 4001 (1) by redesignating sections 605 through 609 as sections 606 through 610, respectively; and (2) by inserting after section 604 the following: 605. South Florida harmful algal blooms and hypoxia (a) South Florida In this section, the term South Florida (1) all lands and waters within the administrative boundaries of the South Florida Water Management District; (2) regional coastal waters, including Biscayne Bay, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida Bay, Indian River Lagoon, and St. Lucie River Estuary; and (3) the Florida Reef Tract. (b) Integrated assessment (1) Interim integrated assessment Not later than 540 days after the date of enactment of the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 (2) Finalized integrated assessment Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 (3) Contents of integrated assessment The integrated assessment required by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall examine the causes, consequences, and potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in South Florida, and the status of, and gaps within, current harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research, monitoring, management, prevention, response, and control activities that directly affect the region by— (A) Federal agencies; (B) State agencies; (C) regional research consortia; (D) academia; (E) private industry; (F) nongovernmental organizations; and (G) Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 (c) Action plan (1) In general Not later than 3 years and 180 days after the date of the enactment of the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021 (2) Contents The plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall— (A) address the monitoring needs identified in the integrated assessment under subsection (b); (B) develop a timeline and budgetary requirements for deployment of future assets; (C) identify requirements for the development and verification of South Florida harmful algal bloom and hypoxia models, including— (i) all assumptions built into the models; and (ii) data quality methods used to ensure the best available data are utilized; and (D) propose a plan to implement a remote monitoring network and early warning system for alerting local communities in the region to harmful algal bloom risks that may impact human health. (3) Requirements In developing the action plan, the Task Force shall— (A) consult with the State of Florida, and affected local and tribal governments; (B) consult with representatives from regional academic, agricultural, industry, and other stakeholder groups; (C) ensure that the plan complements and does not duplicate activities conducted by other Federal or State agencies, including the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force; (D) identify critical research for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal bloom events and their effects; (E) evaluate cost-effective, incentive-based partnership approaches; (F) ensure that the plan is technically sound and cost-effective; (G) utilize existing research, assessments, reports, and program activities; (H) publish a summary of the proposed plan in the Federal Register at least 180 days prior to submitting the completed plan to Congress; and (I) after submitting the completed plan to Congress, provide biennial progress reports on the activities toward achieving the objectives of the plan. . (b) Clerical amendment and correction The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 ( Public Law 105–383 Title VI—Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Sec. 601. Short title. Sec. 602. Findings. Sec. 603. Assessments. Sec. 603A. National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program. Sec. 603B. Comprehensive research plan and action strategy. Sec. 604. Northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxia. Sec. 605. South Florida harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. Sec. 606. Great Lakes hypoxia and harmful algal blooms. Sec. 607. Protection of States' rights. Sec. 608. Effect on other Federal authority. Sec. 609. Definitions. Sec. 610. Authorization of appropriations. .	South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021
Duplication Scoring Act of 2021 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze legislation reported by a congressional committee and report on whether the legislation would create a risk of a new duplicative or overlapping program, office, or initiative in an area previously identified as an area of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation.	117 S664 IS: Duplication Scoring Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 664 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Mr. Paul Ms. Hassan Mr. Lankford Ms. Ernst Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To require the Comptroller General of the United States to review certain legislation in order to identify potential risks of duplication of and overlap with existing Federal programs, offices, and initiatives. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Duplication Scoring Act of 2021 2. Assessments of reported bills by GAO Section 719 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) (1) In this subsection— (A) the term covered bill or joint resolution (B) the term Director (C) the term existing duplicative or overlapping feature (D) the term GAO duplication and overlap report Public Law 111–139 31 U.S.C. 712 (E) the term new duplicative or overlapping feature (2) For each covered bill or joint resolution— (A) the Comptroller General shall, to the extent practicable— (i) determine the extent to which the covered bill or joint resolution creates a risk of a new duplicative or overlapping feature and, if the risk so warrants, identify— (I) the name of the new Federal program, office, or initiative; (II) the section of the covered bill or joint resolution at which the new duplicative or overlapping feature is established; and (III) the GAO duplication and overlap report in which the existing duplicative or overlapping feature is identified; and (ii) submit the information described in clause (i) to the Director and the committee that reported the covered bill or joint resolution; and (iii) publish the information prepared under clause (i) on the website of the Government Accountability Office; and (B) subject to paragraph (3), the Director may include the information submitted by the Comptroller General under subparagraph (A)(ii) as a supplement to the estimate for the covered bill or joint resolution to which the information pertains submitted by the Director under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 653 (3) If the Comptroller General has not submitted to the Director the information for a covered bill or joint resolution under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) on the date on which the Director submits the estimate for the covered bill or joint resolution to which the information pertains under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 653 . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect on the earlier of— (1) the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget next, in accordance with section 1122(a) of title 31, United States Code, updates the information made available on the website required under that section; or (2) the date on which a new Congress begins after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.	Duplication Scoring Act of 2021
Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements governing the use of alternative fuels in vehicles. Among other things, the bill revises requirements on aftermarket vehicle conversions that enable older vehicles to use alternative fuels. Under current law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must certify such conversions. This bill removes such certification requirements. The bill also bans the EPA from prohibiting or controlling biomass fuel. In addition, the bill revises the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for certain vehicles that are able to operate on something other than petroleum-based fuel, such as electric vehicles. Finally, the bill revises the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements to provide for the year-round sale of ethanol-gasoline fuel blends that contain more than 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol. RVP is a metric of gasoline volatility (i.e., how quickly fuel evaporates into the atmosphere). Current law prohibits the sale of gasoline that exceed certain RVP limits during the high ozone season (i.e., the summer months). However, current law provides waivers from this requirement, including a waiver that gives certain ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol a higher RVP limit under certain conditions. This bill expands the waiver to include ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing more than 10% of such ethanol, thus allowing year-round sales of such fuel blends.	117 S667 IS: Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2021 U.S. Senate 2021-03-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 667 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 10, 2021 Mr. Paul Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To provide regulatory relief to alternative fuel producers and consumers, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2021 2. Alternative fuels (a) Aftermarket conversions of motor vehicles to alternative fuel Section 203 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7522 (c) Older vehicles (1) In general The aftermarket conversion of a motor vehicle to alternative fuel operation shall not— (A) be considered tampering under this section if the aftermarket conversion system manufacturer or the person performing the conversion demonstrates that the development and engineering sophistication of the conversion technology is— (i) matched to an appropriate motor vehicle or group of motor vehicles; and (ii) well-designed and installed in accordance with good engineering judgment so that the aftermarket conversion system does not degrade emission performance, as compared to the performance of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles before the conversion; or (B) require the Administrator to issue a certificate of conformity. (2) Label The person performing a conversion described in paragraph (1) shall affix a label to the motor vehicle stating that— (A) the motor vehicle has been equipped with an aftermarket conversion system; and (B) the installation of that system occurred after the initial sale of the motor vehicle. (3) No preclusion of orders Nothing in this subsection precludes the Administrator from issuing an order to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, or installation of an aftermarket conversion system if the Administrator has evidence that the installation of the aftermarket conversion system on a motor vehicle degrades emission performance. . (b) Biomass fuels Section 211 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545 (w) Biomass fuels Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Administrator may not prohibit or control biomass fuel (as defined in section 203 of the Biomass Energy and Alcohol Fuels Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 8802 . 3. Calculation of average fuel economy (a) Definitions Section 32901(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (19) as paragraphs (8), (9), (10), (13), (16), (17), (19), (20), (21), (22), (23), (24), and (26), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: (7) biodiesel (A) means liquid fuel derived from biomass that meets— (i) the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the Environmental Protection Agency under section 211 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545 (ii) the requirements of the American Society of Testing Materials Standard D6751; and (B) does not include any liquid with respect to which a credit may be determined under section 40 ; (3) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as so redesignated) the following: (11) E85 (A) contains between 51 and 83 percent ethanol; and (B) meets the specifications of the American Society of Testing Materials Standard D5798. (12) flexible fuel vehicle ; (4) by inserting after paragraph (13) (as so redesignated) the following: (14) fuel choice enabling manufacturer (15) fuel choice enabling vehicle (A) has been warranted to operate on natural gas, hydrogen, propane, or at least 20 percent biodiesel; (B) is a flexible fuel vehicle; (C) is a plug-in electric drive vehicle; (D) is propelled by a fuel cell that can produce power without the use of petroleum or a petroleum-based fuel; or (E) (i) is propelled by something other than an internal combustion engine; and (ii) is warranted to operate on something other than petroleum-based fuel. ; (5) by inserting after paragraph (17) (as so redesignated) the following: (18) M85 (A) contains up to 85 percent methanol; and (B) meets the specifications of the American Society of Testing Materials International Standard D5797. ; and (6) by inserting after paragraph (24) (as so redesignated) the following: (25) plug-in electric drive vehicle 42 U.S.C. 13258(a) . (b) Fuel choice enabling manufacturers (1) Compliance with the Clean Air Act Section 32902 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (l) Deemed compliance with the Clean Air Act If a fuel choice enabling manufacturer is in compliance with all applicable standards prescribed under this section for model year 2020 or any subsequent model year, the automobiles manufactured by that manufacturer in that model year are deemed to be in compliance with all applicable greenhouse gas regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 202 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7521 . (2) Credits for exceeding standards Section 32903(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) any of the 5 consecutive model years immediately after the model year for which the credits are earned, to the extent that those credits are not used under paragraph (1). . (3) Average fuel economy bonus for fuel choice enabling manufacturers Section 32904 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (A) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Average fuel economy bonus for fuel choice enabling manufacturers The average fuel economy of a fuel choice enabling manufacturer for a model year is the sum of— (1) the average fuel economy of the fuel choice enabling manufacturer for that model year, as otherwise calculated under this section; and (2) 8 miles per gallon. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to automobiles manufactured for model year 2022 or for any subsequent model year. 4. Ethanol waiver Section 211(h)(4) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545(h)(4) (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or more of 10 percent (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking additional alcohol or	Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2021